Jordan Bardella Withdraws from CPAC After Steve Bannon's Nazi Salute

The French politician's decision to cancel his speech has drawn criticism and exposed divisions within European conservative ranks.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France's National Rally, canceled his scheduled speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington after Steve Bannon performed a Nazi salute during his address.
Bannon's gesture, which followed his call for conservatives to 'fight,' has sparked backlash, though he dismissed Bardella's withdrawal as cowardly, calling him 'a little boy.'
Sarah Knafo, a fellow French politician and eurodeputy, criticized Bardella's decision as 'clumsy,' suggesting it cast a negative light on other participants who remained at the event.
The CPAC gathering featured prominent conservative figures, including Donald Trump, JD Vance, Giorgia Meloni, and Nigel Farage, but avoided divisive topics like the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing instead on shared issues such as immigration and free speech.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Bardella's National Rally and Knafo's Reconquête party, underscoring divisions within European far-right movements.