Controversial Political Book by France's Far-Right Figure Released

The book "What I Am Looking For" by Jordan Bardella, a prominent figure in France's far-right National Rally party, was published on Saturday, November 10, in France. Recently, the promotion of this book became controversial after the Paris Metro company refused to display its advertising posters in its stations. The publisher announced on Friday that it has filed a complaint regarding this matter. Each year, political figures in France release books, but this year, Bardella's book has sparked significant controversy and meaning among newly published political works. This book comes just months after the significant victory of the far-right in the European Parliament elections and is expected to sell well. The first edition of this 320-page book has been published with a print run of 150,000 copies. Bardella had previously told the media that he was writing this book before the European Parliament elections. However, contrary to what Bardella stated, the book also includes his childhood memories. Bardella is still under thirty and is considered one of Europe's young politicians. While the far-right party has historically been in opposition, he emphasized that this book discusses the untold stories of politics in France. He stated: "This is a book of confessions where I intended to take the French people behind the scenes of politics and talk to them about the path I have traveled. Because what we write remains, unlike a television or radio program." However, it seems that the recent victory of the far-right in the European Parliament elections has greatly influenced the content of this book. Bardella referred to this victory as a turning point in French political history. Nevertheless, he stressed that this book is merely a personal one and not a party book. He claimed that he did not intend to disclose his party's programs but rather wanted the French people to become more familiar with him. Jordan Bardella stated: "The year 2024 was an unprecedented year of democratic and political change. Therefore, it is obvious that this has influenced the writing of this book, and this book is no longer really like a book that could have been before this stage. I wanted to convey the reality of the ideas I defend and our vision for the future to the French people." The publication of "What I Am Looking For" also comes amid the trial of Marine Le Pen regarding her actions as a Member of the European Parliament. Bardella, whose political fate is intertwined with Le Pen's, claimed that she, the leader of the far-right party, was even unaware of the book's content. Another important point regarding Bardella's book release is that it was published by the reputable Fayard publishing house, which usually publishes political works. Until now, works by far-right politicians in France had not been published by large and reputable publishers and were limited to a few small publishers. Jordan Bardella has particularly aimed to strengthen his base in densely populated and working-class neighborhoods in France, linking the existing insecurities in these areas to uncontrolled immigration. Bardella's grandparents were Italian immigrants who came to France in the 1960s and settled in the suburbs of Paris. He joined the far-right party at the age of 16 and claimed to be unaware of the party's past, especially the not-so-reputable history of its former leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine Le Pen's father. Political observers say that this phenomenon in French politics is trying to present itself and its programs as an urgent necessity in the current era.