France's far-right leader Le Pen asks protégé Bardella to prepare for 2027 presidential run

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has asked her 29-year-old protégé Jordan Bardella to prepare for a 2027 presidential run, she told French media Wednesday. Le Pen, who was handed a five-year ban from public office after being found guilty of embezzling millions in EU funds, has until now maintained that she intends to run herself in 2027.