The survey, commissioned by the Hexagone think tank, reportedly affiliated with conservative billionaire Pierre-Edouard Stérin, instead tested her protégé Jordan Bardella as the sole RN candidate — sparking intense backlash from Le Pen’s inner circle

Le Pen, who has long been the face of France's far-right, suffered a significant legal setback in March. A court convicted her and several other National Rally officials over a fraudulent EU parliament jobs scandal

The verdict, delivered on Monday, April 1, found Le Pen guilty of misappropriating European Parliament funds, sentencing her to a partly suspended prison term and barring her from holding public office

The Paris criminal court sentenced the National Rally (RN) leader to four years in prison and a five-year ban from public office over the misappropriation of European Parliament funds

The snap elections, which saw the RN party potentially increasing their seats from 88 to 126 MPs, have thrust the party into a spotlight of increased scrutiny. Grenon's exclusion is seen as a stern warning to other members about the boundaries of acceptable discourse within the party

Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration party supporters celebrated as RN secured 33.1% of the vote, outpacing a left-wing alliance at 28% and President Emmanuel Macron's camp trailed with 20.76%

The debate, marked by sharp exchanges and divergent viewpoints, comes amid heightened tensions following Marine Le Pen's controversial remarks about President Emmanuel Macron's capacity as commander-in-chief

Bardella's proposals include strict measures such as expelling foreign criminals and abolishing the Droit du sol, which grants nationality to anyone born on French soil and living there for at least five years between the ages of 11 and 18

Speaking at the Eurosatory arms fair near Paris, Bardella emphasized his stance on Ukraine, advocating for the provision of necessary ammunition and equipment to the war-torn country while drawing a firm line against actions that could escalate the conflict in Eastern Europe