In a rally marking her bold return, Marine Le Pen reinforces her commitment to French politics amid a court ruling that could hinder her presidential campaign.
Le Pen Claims Court Ruling as 'Political Decision' at Paris Rally
Le Pen Claims Court Ruling as 'Political Decision' at Paris Rally
Marine Le Pen maintains a defiant stance against legal rulings, asserting efforts are being made to undermine her political aspirations.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), addressed a passionate crowd in Paris on Sunday, dismissing a recent court ruling banning her from running for office for five years as a "political decision." Having been convicted of misappropriating €2.9 million of EU funds during her time leading the party, Le Pen asserted, "I won't give up," rallying her supporters in Place Vauban, just steps from the Eiffel Tower.
Le Pen has indicated her intention to appeal the verdict, claiming that it is part of a larger "witch hunt" against her party. "We do not seek to place ourselves above the law; we simply demand not to be beneath it," she emphasized.
Jordan Bardella, the RN's president, echoed her sentiments at the rally, labeling the court's decision as an "attack on democracy" that wounds patriotic French citizens. He refrained from condemning the judiciary entirely but implied that the judgment could be a maneuver to keep Le Pen from contesting the presidential election in 2027.
In response, Gabriel Attal, the leader of President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, maintained that legal violations must have consequences, stating, "You steal, you pay." He also pointed out perceived external influences on France's political landscape, referencing support for Le Pen from right-wing leaders including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Former U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the ruling as a "very big deal."
A recent BFMTV poll indicated that 57% of the French public perceives the justice served in this case as unbiased. Following the court's ruling, the Paris Court of Appeal announced that a decision regarding Le Pen's appeal could be expected by summer 2026, just prior to the 2027 presidential elections.
Le Pen, positioned to vie for the presidency for a fourth time, also faces a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison term, two years of which are suspended pending her appeal. While RN’s spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli vowed to fight for Le Pen's candidacy, he acknowledged that Bardella, 29, could serve as a viable alternate candidate. Despite holding back from declaring himself as the party’s "plan B," Bardella insisted that the French public should feel "outraged" by the ruling.
Notably, a poll prior to Le Pen's sentencing revealed a prevailing trend among RN voters, with around 60% stating they would support Bardella if he were to run for president. As President Macron is barred from seeking another term, the political landscape remains dynamic as Le Pen continues to battle for her aspirations against a backdrop of legal challenges and public opinion.
