Far-Right Rally Planned in Paris Following Court Ruling Against Le Pen

In response to Marine Le Pen's court-ordered ban from public office, Jordan Bardella has urged supporters to rally in Paris, emphasizing the perceived injustice and victimization of the National Rally. With Le Pen gearing up for a fourth presidential run, the party faces uncertainty over leadership and electoral prospects.

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has announced a protest scheduled for Sunday in the heart of Paris, rallying supporters against the recent court ruling that has barred Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years. This decision came after judges found Le Pen implicated in a scheme involving the embezzlement of €2.9 million ($3.4 million, £2.5 million) of EU funds over a span of twelve years, significantly impacting her ambitions to run for president in 2027.

Bardella, who serves as the president of the National Rally (RN), expressed that the French populace should be "outraged" about the court decision. The Paris Court of Appeal indicated that a conclusive verdict on Le Pen's case could be released by summer 2026, well ahead of the scheduled election later that year. Addressing the media during a press conference, Bardella rallied his followers to partake in "democratic, peaceful, calm mobilisations" starting at Place Vauban, near the iconic Eiffel Tower.

Meanwhile, Le Pen, a stalwart figure in the French far-right landscape, indicated that she perceived the ruling as a figurative "nuclear bomb" directed at the RN to thwart its rise to power. She characterized the actions of the judiciary as part of a broader "system" determined to prevent her party from succeeding, insisting that supporters should transform their "outrage and hurt" into resolute persistence: "We will hold on until the end, until victory."

Bardella also criticized what he termed the "tyranny of the judges," condemning the vitriol aimed at the judges since the ruling was announced. Reports indicate that the presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, is now under police protection due to threats made against her. Against the backdrop of Le Pen's political future in jeopardy, speculation arises regarding Bardella's role within the party. Although he has avoided positioning himself firmly as Le Pen’s successor, spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli has suggested Bardella is a "legitimate" candidate should the party be forced to look to new leadership.

Le Pen enjoys considerable backing from several right-wing leaders across Europe and beyond, such as Hungary's Viktor Orban and former US President Donald Trump, both of whom have criticized the court's decision. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed concerns regarding the democratic implications of barring elected representatives from office, stating that no one valuing democracy could support a ruling that silences millions of citizens.

In addition to her ban from running for public office, Le Pen faced a €100,000 (£82,635) fine and a four-year prison sentence, two years of which are suspended. However, this ruling won't take effect until all appeals are exhausted, a process that could extend for several years, adding to the tension within the party and the political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.