French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is set to lead a rally in central Paris on Sunday in defense of Marine Le Pen, following a court ruling that prohibits her from running for public office for five years. This judgment stems from a major case involving the embezzlement of €2.9 million ($3.4 million) in EU funds during her tenure from 2004 to 2016.
During a press conference, a visibly incensed Bardella urged the French populace to express their outrage over the ruling, which he views as an infringement on the democratic process. The sentence has significant implications for Le Pen’s ambition to become president in the upcoming 2027 elections, and the Paris Court of Appeal indicated that it would issue a decision related to the case by summer 2026—just months before the elections.
“We will mobilize on the streets this weekend,” Bardella announced, emphasizing the need for “peaceful and calm” demonstrations. The first event is scheduled for Place Vauban, near the Eiffel Tower, where supporters are expected to gather.
Le Pen remarked that the legal verdict is akin to using a “nuclear bomb” aimed at crippling the National Rally (RN) party. She accused the political establishment of leveraging powerful tactics to hinder her party’s rise to power, expressing a determination not to concede without a fight. “Our outrage must drive us to succeed,” she declared, reinforcing the idea that the party would persist “until the end, until victory.”
Bardella described the court's actions as an act of judicial tyranny and denounced the backlash faced by the judges involved in the verdict. Reports have surfaced indicating that the president judge in Le Pen's case has since been placed under protective measures following threats received after the ruling.
While Le Pen has been active in the race, this ruling complicates her potential run for a fourth presidential bid. Surveys indicate that around 60% of RN voters would potentially back Bardella as their candidate should Le Pen be sidelined, with Bardella leading with as much as 36% voter support if he decides to run.
The political ramifications extend beyond France's borders, with right-wing leaders from Europe and the U.S., including Viktor Orban and Donald Trump, expressing their solidarity with Le Pen, condemning the ruling as a democratic setback. Additionally, Le Pen has been fined €100,000 and received a four-year prison sentence, two years of which are suspended pending the outcome of her appeals process.
