French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is calling on supporters to rally in Paris this Sunday to protest a ruling that bars Marine Le Pen from running for public office for five years. The court's decision came after it was determined that Le Pen was central to an embezzlement scheme involving €2.9 million ($3.4 million) of EU funds between 2004 and 2016, a major setback for her 2027 presidential aspirations.
Bardella, who serves as the president of the National Rally (RN) party, urged the French populace to feel "outraged" by the verdict announced by the Paris Court of Appeal, which added that a decision on Le Pen's case could be reached by the summer of 2026—before the presidential election. He confirmed that the rally would commence at Place Vauban near the famed Eiffel Tower.
During a press conference, Le Pen described the court's action as a "nuclear bomb" used to undermine the RN's ability to seize power, claiming, "We won't let them get away with it." She called on supporters to channel their "outrage and hurt" into determination for victory.
Bardella condemned what he termed the "tyranny of the judges" and argued that systemic efforts were underway to thwart their rise to power. Both Bardella and Le Pen have criticized the backlash towards judges involved in the verdict, following reports of personalized threats against them. In fact, safety measures were reportedly implemented for judges involved in Le Pen's case after they received threats.
Despite the ban on her candidacy, which also includes a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison sentence (two years suspended), Le Pen has shown reluctance to step aside for her younger counterpart. While Bardella has declined to clarify if he would be RN’s "plan B," party spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli stated that while they would fight for Le Pen to lead, Bardella emerges as the most legitimate alternative, especially since a recent poll indicated nearly 60% of RN supporters might favor him.
Le Pen has garnered international endorsements from right-wing figures like Hungary’s Viktor Orban and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who characterized her conviction as significant. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also denounced the court's decision, arguing it poses a threat to democracy by stripping citizens of representation. As the RN gears up for future challenges, the atmosphere remains charged as they combat perceived injustices in the political arena.
