In brief
Marine Le Pen has announced she will stand as a candidate in the 2027 French presidential election. A Paris appeal court had found her guilty of misusing €2.8 million in EU funds to pay party staff, but allowed the candidature only if she wears a tag. She has now taken her case to the Court of Cassation, France’s top civil court, to fight the ruling. The decision marks a pivotal gamble, as she insists she will not step down regardless of the court’s outcome, and hints that she would lead the country “rebirth” if elected. Her move also lifts questions about the political future of her party’s 30‑year‑old president, Jordan Bardella.
Marine Le Pen, the hard‑right leader of France’s National Rally since 2011, has confirmed she will run for the presidency in 2027 while pursuing an appeal to the Court of Cassation against a recent conviction for embezzlement.
In a televised interview, Le Pen said, “I can’t campaign with a tag. I will pursue all legal avenues to defend my innocence.” The tag requirement stems from a Paris appeal court verdict that found her guilty of misusing €2.8 million (about £2.4 million) of EU funds in a fake jobs scheme to pay party staff between 2004 and 2016.
While the appeal court allowed her to stand for election if she wore a tag, Le Pen has moved to France’s top civil court, expecting a decision that could either uphold or overturn the verdict. The Court of Cassation may take several months to rule, a timing that places her campaign into the most critical months leading up to the first round on 18 April and the second on 2 May 2027.
The announcement ends speculation that Le Pen would let her nineteen‑year‑old party president, Jordan Bardella, run in her stead. She has emphasised her commitment, telling audiences she will not retract her candidacy even if the tag requirement remains.
Le Pen has also hinted that, if elected, she would work with Bardella, who would take the role of prime minister, citing their shared vision and complementary strengths as “solid partnership.” The French public now awaits the Court of Cassation’s outcome, which could have significant repercussions for the National Rally’s future and the nation’s political landscape.
