# Nigel Farage Seeks Meeting with Marine Le Pen Reform UK leader eyes French alliance despite scheduling hurdles and political sensitivity. - **Source:** [Politico Europe](https://www.politico.eu) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/71a0f485-da29-494b-964d-83a7d4940adf ## Farage Targets French Alliance Nigel Farage, leader of the British Reform UK party, has publicly stated his intention to meet Marine Le Pen. Despite his desire for a visit to Paris before the end of October, the meeting remains unconfirmed. Farage insists that such a diplomatic encounter will occur at some point in time. ## Scheduling Conflicts and Hesitation While Reform UK officials previously suggested a meeting would happen before the year ends, four sources within Le Pen’s National Party indicate it is not currently on her schedule. Advisers suggest the party is still weighing the potential costs and benefits of associating with the British politician at this specific moment. ## Le Pen's Electoral Outlook Marine Le Pen is currently considered the favorite to win the first round of the 2027 French presidential elections. Her team remains cautious about external political optics as she prepares for this long-term goal. Consequently, she is carefully managing her international engagements to avoid any unnecessary controversy before the upcoming campaign. ## Farage Faces Domestic Challenges The Reform UK leader is currently navigating a dip in domestic polling numbers following a series of damaging allegations against his party. This decline in popularity may influence how foreign political figures perceive the value of a high-profile meeting. Farage is attempting to maintain momentum despite these significant internal political pressures. ## Previous Migration Agreement Backlash A migration agreement unveiled in early September between Farage and Jordan Bardella, the second in command of the National Rally, triggered a notable backlash in France. This negative reception serves as a cautionary tale for Le Pen’s team regarding the potential risks of formalizing ties with the British right-wing insurgency leader. ## Diplomatic Strategy and Caution Le Pen’s advisers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasize the sensitive nature of these party relations. They are prioritizing the party's domestic standing over immediate international photo opportunities. The decision-making process involves a careful calculation of whether Farage’s brand currently aligns with the National Party's strategic electoral objectives in France. ## Farage's Long-Term Ambitions Despite the current lack of a scheduled meeting, Farage remains optimistic about the future of his relationship with the French right. He publicly praised Le Pen, stating his belief that she is destined to win the next election. He continues to frame the potential meeting as an inevitable step for his movement. ## Future Political Implications The situation highlights the complexities of cross-border cooperation between European right-wing movements. While ideological alignment exists, practical political considerations often dictate the pace of these alliances. Observers should monitor whether Le Pen eventually grants the meeting as her 2027 presidential campaign intensifies and the political landscape in France continues to evolve. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.politico.eu/article/nigel-farage-says-hell-meet-france-marine-le-pen-at-some-point-in-time/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._