Le Pen Declares Court Ruling a 'Political Decision' at Paris Rally

Marine Le Pen criticized the court ruling, claiming it is a politically motivated attack against her and the National Rally party.

In a spirited rally held at Place Vauban near the Eiffel Tower, Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), addressed thousands of supporters to denounce a recent court ruling that bars her from holding office for five years. Describing the ruling as a "political decision," Le Pen expressed her determination to continue fighting for her political dreams, stating emphatically, "I won't give up."

The ruling, delivered on Monday, found Le Pen guilty of aiding in the embezzlement of €2.9 million (£2.5 million) of European Union funds between 2004 and 2016, which was allegedly diverted for party use. Le Pen has since appealed the judgment. At the rally, she referred to what she perceives as a "witch hunt" targeting her party, asserting, "We are not asking to be above the law, but to not be below the law."

Jordan Bardella, president of the RN, joined Le Pen in condemning the court's decision, referring to it as "a direct attack on democracy" that wounds millions of patriotic French citizens. While he distanced himself from comments that could undermine the judiciary, he expressed concern that the ruling was an attempt to eliminate Le Pen from the upcoming 2027 presidential race.

In a counter-response, Gabriel Attal, leader of French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party, remarked harshly, stating, "You steal, you pay." He also pointed to perceived external influences, highlighting the backing Le Pen has received from several right-wing leaders, including Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Hungary's Viktor Orban. In the U.S., former President Donald Trump labeled her conviction a "very big deal."

A post-ruling poll from BFMTV revealed that a significant majority of French citizens—57%—believed that justice had been served fairly in Le Pen's case. Following the ruling, the Paris Court of Appeal indicated that a final decision on the appeal could be made by the summer of 2026, just months prior to France's presidential election.

While Le Pen was gearing up for her fourth presidential bid, the ruling included not only a five-year ban but also a €100,000 (£82,635) fine and a four-year prison sentence, of which two years are suspended. This sentence will not take effect until after the appeals process, projected to extend over several years.

RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli affirmed the party's commitment to support Le Pen, though he acknowledged that Bardella, 29, could be a viable alternative if necessary. Bardella, however, chose to refrain from positioning himself definitively in the leadership debate, urging the French people to feel "outraged" by the judicial outcome. Additionally, a poll conducted just before Le Pen's sentencing indicated that 60% of RN voters might back Bardella in a primary context.

As the political landscape evolves, President Macron is ineligible to run for re-election during the next cycle, leaving the door open for fierce competition among right-wing factions. While Le Pen faces substantial legal challenges, her supporters remain organized and vocal in their commitment to her leadership and political ambitions.