Convicted, Marine Le Pen decries a « political decision of the judiciary » and a ‘doomed day’ for French democracy

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally (RN), in France, was sentenced on Monday to five years of ineligibility with immediate execution, as well as four years in prison, including two firm years to be served with an electronic bracelet.

This trial concerns not only Mme Le Pen, but also eight European parliament members and twelve parliamentary assistants of the National Front (renamed National Rally in 2018). The latter have been found guilty of embezzlement of public funds by setting up a system of fictional jobs at the European Parliament between 2004 and 2016.

They have also been sentenced to prison terms and ineligibility. The total damage is estimated at 4.6 million euros, reports the media All of Europe.

The French far-right party also received a fine of two million euros, including one million now, and one million already confiscated during the judicial investigation phase.

This sentence thus compromises the participation of the RN leader in the 2027 presidential election.

The lawyer of Ms Le Pen, Me Rodolphe Bosselut, confirmed that his client will appeal the decision. 'It's a blow to democracy', the lawyer said during a brief interaction with journalists in front of the party's Paris headquarters.

He deplores the lack of means to suspend the ineligibility of Ms. Le Pen until the case has been retried on appeal.

Invited to TF1 on Monday evening, Marine Le Pen denounced a 'political decision of justice'. She asserted it was a 'doomed day' for French democracy: 'Millions of French people will be deprived of the candidate who is currently given as the favorite of the presidential election'.

According to Laurent Jacobelli, the RN spokesperson, Marine Le Pen remains combative after the verdict of the Paris correctional court.

According to a survey published on Sunday, Ms. Le Pen would be far ahead in the first round of an upcoming presidential election, with 34% to 37% of voting intentions.

Several political opponents of RN have stated that they fear this new judicial decision will be misunderstood by a portion of the population and that it will ultimately benefit the far-right party.

The Socialist Party, for its part, reacted on X via a statement. It stated that it is taking note of the justice decision regarding Marine Le Pen. The party affirmed that each and everyone must respect the independence of Justice and the rule of law. [...] The Socialist Party remains mobilized to defend republican values and transparency in public life, essential to the trust of citizens.

Among the right-wing political figures who have risen on X following this judicial decision are the Kremlin, the nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the boss of the Dutch far-right Geert Wilders and the Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.

«It’s French democracy that is being executed», exclaimed Jordan Bardella, the president of the RN, on X. At just 29 years old, Mr. Bardella represents the party’s main alternative two years ahead of a major election.