French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is rallying supporters for a demonstration in central Paris this Sunday in response to a recent court ruling disqualifying Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years. This ruling stems from her involvement in a controversial embezzlement case concerning €2.9 million ($3.4 million; £2.5 million) in European Union funds, which has significantly jeopardized her aspirations for the French presidency in 2027.
The decision, made public on Monday, allows Le Pen the option to appeal; however, the immediate enforcement of the ruling gives her limited prospects for a presidential candidacy. Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN) party, urged French citizens to be "outraged" by the verdict, asserting that a "democratic, peaceful, calm mobilisations" was in order. The planned protest will kick off at Place Vauban, near the Eiffel Tower.
At the press conference, a defiant Le Pen described the ruling as a "nuclear bomb" directed at the RN to thwart their rise to power, claiming that the political establishment has deployed powerful tactics to suppress their influence as the elections draw nearer. "We won't let them get away with it," she proclaimed, encouraging her supporters to channel their "outrage and hurt" into perseverance.
Bardella condemned what he termed the "tyranny of the judges,” alleging a systematic effort to block their party's ascent. Both he and Le Pen called out instances of hostility and threats directed toward the judges responsible for the ruling. According to a police source cited by Le Figaro, Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis, overseeing the case, has been placed under security due to these threats.
As Le Pen prepares for her fourth presidential run, her disqualification has raised questions about the RN's future leadership. With speculation regarding Bardella's potential candidacy, polls indicated that approximately 60% of RN supporters would favor him if he were to run, suggesting broad backing for a transition in leadership.
International allies, including Hungary's Viktor Orban and former U.S. President Donald Trump, have rallied in support of Le Pen, with Trump labeling her conviction as a "very big deal." Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the ruling as a democratic infringement, echoing sentiments among European conservatives.
In addition to the five-year ban from public office, Le Pen faces a €100,000 (£82,635) fine and a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended. The timeline for her appeal remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the continued political relevance of the National Rally amidst ongoing electoral ambitions.
