PARIS — Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, declared on Monday that there is “no way” she will exit the political arena, vowing to contest her right to run for the presidency. This statement follows a court ruling that prohibits her from holding public office for five years due to embezzlement charges.
Le Pen’s determination amid legal challenges
Le Pen minimized the likelihood of having to pass the presidential mantle to her 29-year-old successor, Jordan Bardella, for the upcoming 2027 election. In her first interview since the ruling, she expressed her defiance to TF1, stating, “I’m combative, I won’t let myself be eliminated.” The court’s decision, which also affected 23 other individuals, involved convictions for misappropriating funds from the European Parliament, leading to fines, suspended prison sentences, and immediate bans.
Despite the significant obstacles posed by the ruling, Le Pen maintained that her run for the presidency remains a possibility. She urged the justice system to expedite her appeal, although she acknowledged that retrials typically extend several months beyond the original verdict, potentially constricting her timeline. “There is a small path — it is certainly narrow — but it exists,” she asserted.
Public response and political implications
Le Pen and her party have characterized the court’s ruling as a scandal that undermines democracy, claiming it disregards the will of millions who have voted for them as their popularity has surged. This sentiment has found resonance among some political allies and supporters, including prominent figures like Elon Musk.
“This evening, millions of French people are indignant, indignant to an unimaginable extent seeing that in France, the country of human rights, judges have implemented practices that were thought to be the preserve of authoritarian regimes,” Le Pen stated.
Following the ruling, the National Rally initiated an online petition titled “Save democracy.” Should Le Pen be unable to participate in the election, Bardella is likely to emerge as the primary candidate, potentially making history as the youngest president of France if he succeeds.
However, Le Pen is not rushing to endorse Bardella, expressing confidence in his capabilities while indicating that the timing for his ascension is not yet ripe. “Jordan Bardella is a tremendous asset for the movement. I hope we won’t have to use this asset any sooner than necessary,” she remarked.
The public reaction to the verdict has begun to surface. A survey conducted by Odoxa revealed that 54 percent of respondents viewed Le Pen’s sentence as indicative of a robust democracy, while 65 percent expressed satisfaction or indifference towards the ruling. This feedback suggests a complex and nuanced public perception surrounding Le Pen’s political future and the broader implications of the court’s decision.