Marine Le Pen, France’s far-right leader, strongly opposed a court ruling that banned her from running for president until 2027. She called the decision “political” and insisted she still had hope. Despite the setback, she made it clear she would not step away from politics.
Conviction and Immediate Ban
The Paris court found Le Pen guilty of misusing EU Parliament funds to pay party staff in France. As a result, the court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended. However, she will not serve jail time. Instead, she will complete the remaining two years under electronic surveillance. Additionally, the court imposed a five-year ban on holding public office, effective immediately.
Le Pen Vows to Fight Back
Although the verdict shocked Le Pen, she remained defiant. “I’m not going to let myself be eliminated like this,” she said in an interview with TF1. She vowed to appeal as quickly as possible and urged the judiciary to act fast. “There is a small path. It’s certainly narrow, but it exists,” she added.
Strong International Reactions
The ruling sparked major international criticism. The Kremlin condemned the decision, while billionaire Elon Musk and right-wing leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Dutch politician Geert Wilders also spoke against it. Even US President Donald Trump compared Le Pen’s situation to his own legal troubles. He said, “She was banned from running for five years and she was the leading candidate. That sounds like this country.”
Political Turmoil and Party’s Response
Le Pen walked out of the courtroom before the judge announced her prison sentence. Soon after, her National Rally (RN) party held an emergency meeting in Paris. Since RN emerged as the largest party in France’s parliament after the 2024 elections, Le Pen was seen as a strong contender for 2027. However, with this ban in place, her presidential bid now seems uncertain.
Public and Political Reactions
Many of Le Pen’s supporters were outraged. In Henin-Beaumont, an RN stronghold, 78-year-old Jacqueline Bossuyt expressed her frustration. “It’s disgraceful! They’ve destroyed her,” she said. Even mainstream politicians raised concerns. Republican leader Laurent Wauquiez argued that elections, not courts, should decide political futures. Meanwhile, Prime Minister François Bayrou reportedly felt “troubled” by the decision.
What’s Next for National Rally?
If Le Pen remains ineligible for 2027, RN may turn to 29-year-old Jordan Bardella as a replacement. However, there are doubts about whether he has enough experience. Le Pen, who took over the party from her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011, spent years softening its far-right image.
Court Findings and Misuse of EU Funds
During the trial, prosecutors revealed that RN used €21,000 ($23,000) in monthly EU funds to pay party staff in France. However, the court ruled that these employees had no real duties in the European Parliament. The judge stated, “It was established that all these people were actually working for the party, that their MEP had not assigned them any tasks.”
Le Pen Remains Defiant
Despite the conviction, Le Pen refuses to back down. “I am going to appeal because I am innocent,” she declared. However, she acknowledged the current situation. “As things stand now, I am eliminated” from the presidential race.
