Investigative news outlet Mediapart reported on Thursday that it has authenticated a series of antisemitic messages allegedly sent by Jordan Bardella, a prominent figure in the French far-right, in 2013. The report suggests these communications were sent under a pseudonym during a period when Bardella was younger and less established in his current political role. These allegations arrive at a sensitive time for the National Rally party, as they occur roughly seven months before the French presidential election, a contest in which Marine Le Pen is currently polling as a leading candidate.

Jordan Bardella has responded to the report with a firm denial, stating that he is not the author of the messages. He has characterized the report as a smear campaign and has declared his intention to file a lawsuit against Mediapart, citing defamation and forgery. The dispute centers on the validity of the digital evidence presented by the outlet versus Bardella’s insistence that the content is fabricated. As of now, no independent third-party verification has confirmed the findings beyond Mediapart’s internal authentication process. The political implications of these allegations remain uncertain, though they have introduced a new point of controversy into the lead-up to the upcoming national election.