In a passionate rally held in Paris on Sunday, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), characterized the court ruling that prevents her from running for any public office for five years as a "political decision." Speaking to a crowd of thousands waving flags in Place Vauban near the iconic Eiffel Tower, Le Pen declared, "I won't give up," asserting her commitment to her party and supporters in the face of a guilty verdict concerning the embezzlement of €2.9 million of EU funds between 2004 and 2016, for which she has appealed.
At the rally, Le Pen condemned the judgment as part of a "witch hunt" against her party and maintained that while they did not demand to be above the law, they wanted to ensure that they were not treated unjustly. Jordan Bardella, RN's party president, echoed her sentiments, denouncing the ruling as a "direct attack on democracy" and claiming it aimed to exclude Le Pen from the upcoming presidential race in 2027. While not disparaging the judicial system, Bardella highlighted the political motivations behind the legal actions against Le Pen.
In contrast, Gabriel Attal, leader of President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Renaissance party, firmly stated in response: "You steal, you pay," emphasizing accountability and justice. This sentiment was reinforced by a survey from BFMTV, which indicated that 57% of respondents believed the justice system operated impartially in Le Pen's case. The Paris Court of Appeal announced it would likely reach a decision on the appeal by the summer of 2026, just months before the election.
Le Pen's legal troubles also include a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, but these will be on hold until the appeals process concludes. Despite the legal challenges, RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli expressed determination to have Le Pen remain a candidate, suggesting that if necessary, Bardella could serve as a suitable alternative, given recent polls indicating that a significant portion of RN voters would support him over Le Pen in the presidential race.
As France prepares for the pivotal 2027 election, the political landscape remains dynamic, with Le Pen facing formidable challenges but refusing to concede her aspirations.
At the rally, Le Pen condemned the judgment as part of a "witch hunt" against her party and maintained that while they did not demand to be above the law, they wanted to ensure that they were not treated unjustly. Jordan Bardella, RN's party president, echoed her sentiments, denouncing the ruling as a "direct attack on democracy" and claiming it aimed to exclude Le Pen from the upcoming presidential race in 2027. While not disparaging the judicial system, Bardella highlighted the political motivations behind the legal actions against Le Pen.
In contrast, Gabriel Attal, leader of President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Renaissance party, firmly stated in response: "You steal, you pay," emphasizing accountability and justice. This sentiment was reinforced by a survey from BFMTV, which indicated that 57% of respondents believed the justice system operated impartially in Le Pen's case. The Paris Court of Appeal announced it would likely reach a decision on the appeal by the summer of 2026, just months before the election.
Le Pen's legal troubles also include a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, but these will be on hold until the appeals process concludes. Despite the legal challenges, RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli expressed determination to have Le Pen remain a candidate, suggesting that if necessary, Bardella could serve as a suitable alternative, given recent polls indicating that a significant portion of RN voters would support him over Le Pen in the presidential race.
As France prepares for the pivotal 2027 election, the political landscape remains dynamic, with Le Pen facing formidable challenges but refusing to concede her aspirations.
