France's Far Right Mobilizes Against Court Ruling Banning Le Pen from Office

With Marine Le Pen's presidential ambitions curtailed by a significant court ruling, her party, the National Rally, responds with plans for a major rally to express their outrage and mobilize supporters.

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is calling for a large-scale rally in central Paris this Sunday, prompted by a recent court ruling that prevents Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years. Le Pen's political aspirations for the 2027 presidential election faced a significant setback when judges determined she was involved in the embezzlement of €2.9 million ($3.4 million; £2.5 million) in EU funds spanning from 2004 to 2016.

Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN), expressed that the ruling should incite "outrage" among the French populace. The Paris Court of Appeal informed that a decision could be expected by the summer of 2026, just months before the upcoming presidential election. Bardella declared at a press conference, “We’ll take to the streets this weekend,” promoting the event as a democratic and peaceful demonstration, with the first gathering planned for Place Vauban, near the Eiffel Tower.

Le Pen, also present at the announcement, likened the ruling to a “nuclear bomb” aimed at suppressing her party's rise to power. She asserted that the "system" is employing formidable tactics against the RN as they seem poised for success in the elections. “We won’t let them get away with it,” she emphasized, urging supporters to channel their “outrage and hurt” into political perseverance until victory is secured.

Bardella criticized what he termed the “tyranny of the judges” and highlighted the personal attacks faced by the judiciary following the verdict. Echoing this sentiment, Le Pen branded threats against judges as “unacceptable.” Reports indicate that Bénédicte de Perthuis, the presiding judge in the case, has been placed under protection due to threats made against her.

Though Le Pen was gearing up for her fourth presidential run, the latest ruling introduces uncertainty around her candidacy. While she is reluctant to step back, Bardella, at 29, is seen by some within the party as an untested contender for the nation’s highest office. Bardella has refrained from commenting on the possibility of stepping in as a backup candidate.

However, RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli noted that while they will strive to ensure Le Pen's candidacy, Bardella represents the "most naturally legitimate" alternative. Polling data indicated that around 60% of RN voters supported Bardella as a potential candidate over Le Pen, suggesting he could secure as much as 36% of the total vote in the presidential election.

Internationally, Le Pen has garnered support from right-wing politicians, including Hungary’s Viktor Orban and former US President Donald Trump, who termed the conviction a “very big deal.” Additionally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked that no one who values democracy could find satisfaction in a ruling that denies vast swathes of citizens representation.

In addition to barring her from public office, Le Pen received a €100,000 (£82,635) fine and a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended. The enforcement of this sentence awaits the completion of the appeals process, which may extend for several years into the future.