France General Discussion IV: Yellow Fever

[Lord Halifax]

Nicolas Sarkozy is the most popular politician in the country:

How did that happen?

[Lord Halifax]

Will Melenchon and Le Pen definitely run again?

Like Beto they were born to run.

[Lord Halifax]

Open letter in a right wing (far right?) paper from a large number of retired officers and active servicemen (incl. 20 generals) warning against a civil war if Islamism isn't brought under control and the authority of the state reestablished in the suburbs. Le Pen has naturally praised them, and apparently the Minister of Defence threatened to sack some of the active soldiers signing the letter.

https://www.valeursactuelles.com/politique/pour-un-retour-de-lhonneur-de-nos-gouvernants-20-generaux-appellent-macron-a-defendre-le-patriotisme/

Would appreciate some comments and/or clarification from our French posters. What's this about and is it a nothingburger or serious?

[Lord Halifax]

Why is Jordan Bardella so popular? Is being a young Lepenist from a banlieu with a dollop of Algerian ancestry really that appealing?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Bardella