Marion Maréchal has decided to entrust the operational management of her party Identité-Libertés (IDL) to Philippe Vardon. This strategic choice is part of the national structuring of the movement.
During the first meeting of the Identité-Libertés Political Bureau, Marion Maréchal officially announced the appointment of Philippe Vardon as general delegate. A leader of the municipal and metropolitan opposition in Nice, he is also a regional councilor. This position places him at the heart of the daily political leadership and management of IDL.
A former executive of the National Rally, Philippe Vardon contributed to the campaigns of Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, and Marion Maréchal. Now, he is using his experience to help structure the party, which currently has more than 8,000 members. Marion Maréchal hopes this will strengthen the local and national organization of IDL, which aims to have an impact in the upcoming elections.
A Journey Marked by Local Rivalries
Philippe Vardon is a figure of the far right in Nice. Cofounder of the Bloc Identitaire, he later turned to the National Rally to embody a more institutional line. However, his support for an alliance with Éric Zemmour’s Reconquête party, as well as his dissident candidacy in the Alpes-Maritimes, ultimately led to his departure from the RN.
In Nice, he is known for his rivalries with RN deputy Bryan Masson. These tensions reflect two opposing visions within the national camp: a hardline approach, advocated by Vardon, and a strategy of “dediabolization,” supported by Masson.
The collaboration between Marion Maréchal and Philippe Vardon is not new. Ideologically close, they defend a right they describe as one of “convictions,” in opposition to a right they find too conciliatory. This partnership represents a strategic gamble for Marion Maréchal, who seeks to consolidate local anchorage and structure IDL in the face of forthcoming electoral challenges.
With this choice, Identité-Libertés is relying on Philippe Vardon’s field experience and network to accelerate its establishment and become an essential player within the national camp.