Gilbert Collard: From RN Stalwart to Zemmour Standard-Bearer
PARIS, 28 January 2026 – Gilbert Collard, the flamboyant French lawyer and politician, remains a prominent figure on the European political stage. His dramatic defection from Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) to Éric Zemmour’s nascent Reconquête! party in January 2022 marked a significant rupture on the French far-right. Now serving as a non-attached Member of the European Parliament, his career exemplifies the volatile alliances within France’s nationalist political sphere.
A Political Defection That Reshaped the Right
The pivotal moment in Collard’s recent political life came on 22 January 2022. At a rally in Cannes, the then-RN MEP publicly announced his support for presidential candidate Éric Zemmour and joined his new party, Reconquête!. He was promptly named the party’s honorary president. This move, following similar defections by Jérôme Rivière and Damien Rieu, was a blow to Marine Le Pen’s campaign and signalled a fracture within her electoral base. Collard stated he believed Zemmour possessed the “historical courage” he felt was needed, famously adding, “I think a day will come when Marine Le Pen will do as I did, and join Éric Zemmour.”
Key Facts & Political Timeline
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 February 1948, Marseille |
| Profession | Barrister, Writer, Politician |
| MEP Tenure | Since 2 July 2019 |
| Key Political Shift | Left Rassemblement National for Reconquête! on 22 January 2022 |
| Current EP Status | Non-attached Member (since 25 January 2022) |
| Current EP Committee | Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) |
| Notable Clients (Lawyer) | Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Pasqua, Marine Le Pen, Paul Aussaresses |
From Socialist Roots to the National Rally
Collard’s political journey has traversed the spectrum. In his youth, he was a member of the Socialist Party (PS), even serving on a support committee for François Mitterrand in 1981. His shift to the right culminated in 2011 when he founded and presided over the support committee for Marine Le Pen. Elected as a deputy for Gard in 2012 under the banner of the Rassemblement bleu Marine, he became a close ally of Marion Maréchal-Le Pen and a vocal figure within the RN, serving as its secretary-general. He was re-elected as a deputy in 2017 before winning a seat in the European Parliament in 2019.
Life After Reconquête
Collard’s formal affiliation with Reconquête! was relatively brief. European Parliament records show he was a member of the party from 22 January 2022 until 30 September 2022. Since 1 October 2022, he has been listed under “Divers droite” (Various Right) and sits as a non-attached MEP. He currently serves as a full member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and a substitute on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). He defines himself as a “free-speaking man, no longer affiliated with any party.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gilbert Collard leave the Rassemblement National?
Collard cited a belief that Éric Zemmour represented a more courageous and historically vital force for French nationalism. He expressed disagreement with certain strategic decisions by Marine Le Pen, such as the removal of the proposal to suppress dual nationality from her 2022 presidential programme.
What is Gilbert Collard’s role in the European Parliament now?
As of 2024, Gilbert Collard is a non-attached Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He is a full member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and a substitute member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
Is Gilbert Collard still a member of Reconquête!?
No. Official European Parliament records indicate his membership in Reconquête! ended on 30 September 2022. He is now categorised as “Divers droite” (Various Right) and is non-attached within the parliament.