A 74-year-old Frenchman receives a suspended sentence and fine for cracking an egg on the head of far-right leader Jordan Bardella at a book event.
MONTAUBAN: A French court has given a 74-year-old man a suspended sentence for breaking an egg on the head of far-right leader Jordan Bardella last year.
The retired farmer, identified as Jean-Paul, was also fined 1,000 euros and ordered to pay Bardella 500 euros in damages plus 600 euros towards legal fees.
Jean-Paul apologised in court, calling his act “violent” but said he wanted to warn citizens.
“I aimed the egg to warn citizens that we’re falling asleep,” he said. “Once they’re in power, it will be too late.”
The incident occurred on November 29 at a book launch in the southern town of Moissac.
Jean-Paul had previously been sentenced in 2022 for throwing an egg at another far-right candidate, Eric Zemmour.
Bardella leads the National Rally party, which is positioning for the 2027 presidential election.
Current President Emmanuel Macron cannot run again after serving two consecutive terms.
Party figurehead Marine Le Pen hopes to run but is barred pending an appeal in an embezzlement case.
Her appeal trial starts next week, with a verdict expected this summer.
Le Pen has said Bardella, her 30-year-old lieutenant, could run if her conviction is upheld.
