Thousands of supporters gather in Paris as Le Pen vows to appeal her five-year ban from holding public office.
Le Pen Refuses to Bow Down to Court Ruling at Paris Rally
Le Pen Refuses to Bow Down to Court Ruling at Paris Rally
Marine Le Pen decries conviction as a politically motivated attempt to disqualify her from future elections.
On Sunday, during a spirited rally in Paris, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), stood resolute against a recent court ruling that prohibits her from running for office for five years. Addressing a large crowd in Place Vauban near the Eiffel Tower, she denounced the verdict as a "political decision" and expressed her determination to fight back, stating, "I won't give up."
Le Pen was convicted of embezzling €2.9 million (£2.5 million) of EU funds intended for her party between 2004 and 2016, a ruling she has appealed. At the rally, she characterized the situation as a "witch hunt" targeting her party, asserting that they merely seek justice without being above the law. The event featured remarks from Jordan Bardella, RN's president, who declared the ruling a "direct attack on democracy," suggesting it was designed to exclude Le Pen from the upcoming presidential race in 2027.
Gabriel Attal, the head of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party, countered Le Pen’s claims by emphasizing, "You steal, you pay," and criticized what he termed "unprecedented interference" in France’s political affairs. This sentiment was echoed by international figures such as former US President Donald Trump, who referred to Le Pen’s conviction as a "very big deal."
Polling data collected by BFMTV revealed that a significant portion of the French population—57%—believed the judicial proceedings against Le Pen were conducted fairly. Meanwhile, the Paris Court of Appeal indicated that a decision on her appeal could arrive by summer 2026, just months before the critical 2027 presidential election.
As Le Pen prepares for a fourth presidential bid, she faces a €100,000 (£82,635) fine alongside a four-year prison sentence, of which two years are suspended pending the completion of her appeals process. RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli underscored the party's commitment to support Le Pen, although he acknowledged that Bardella, 29, has emerged as a potentially viable alternative candidate, with polls indicating approximately 60% of RN voters would back him if he decided to run.
With President Macron constitutionally barred from seeking another term, the stage is set for an intense electoral battle, as the RN grapples with leadership challenges amidst significant legal ramifications.
Le Pen was convicted of embezzling €2.9 million (£2.5 million) of EU funds intended for her party between 2004 and 2016, a ruling she has appealed. At the rally, she characterized the situation as a "witch hunt" targeting her party, asserting that they merely seek justice without being above the law. The event featured remarks from Jordan Bardella, RN's president, who declared the ruling a "direct attack on democracy," suggesting it was designed to exclude Le Pen from the upcoming presidential race in 2027.
Gabriel Attal, the head of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party, countered Le Pen’s claims by emphasizing, "You steal, you pay," and criticized what he termed "unprecedented interference" in France’s political affairs. This sentiment was echoed by international figures such as former US President Donald Trump, who referred to Le Pen’s conviction as a "very big deal."
Polling data collected by BFMTV revealed that a significant portion of the French population—57%—believed the judicial proceedings against Le Pen were conducted fairly. Meanwhile, the Paris Court of Appeal indicated that a decision on her appeal could arrive by summer 2026, just months before the critical 2027 presidential election.
As Le Pen prepares for a fourth presidential bid, she faces a €100,000 (£82,635) fine alongside a four-year prison sentence, of which two years are suspended pending the completion of her appeals process. RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli underscored the party's commitment to support Le Pen, although he acknowledged that Bardella, 29, has emerged as a potentially viable alternative candidate, with polls indicating approximately 60% of RN voters would back him if he decided to run.
With President Macron constitutionally barred from seeking another term, the stage is set for an intense electoral battle, as the RN grapples with leadership challenges amidst significant legal ramifications.
