French far-right leader Jordan Bardella announced plans for a rally in Paris on Sunday, protesting the court's ruling that bans Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years. This decision, linked to a €2.9 million embezzlement case involving EU funds, threatens Le Pen's ambitions for the 2027 presidential election.
Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN) party, expressed the outrage felt by many French citizens, emphasizing the need for "democratic, peaceful, calm mobilizations." The demonstration is set for Place Vauban near the Eiffel Tower. In her remarks, Le Pen described the ruling as a "nuclear bomb" aimed at subverting her party's chances of gaining power, insisting that this was an attempt to sabotage the RN as they approach potential electoral success.
Both Le Pen and Bardella criticized the backlash faced by the judges responsible for the ruling and condemned any threats made against the judiciary. Reports indicate that President Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis, involved in Le Pen's case, has received threats and is under protection.
As Le Pen prepares for her fourth presidential campaign, doubts loom over her succession plans, with Bardella considered a possible successor despite his relative inexperience. Polls suggest that many RN voters would support Bardella over Le Pen if he decided to run, reflecting a potential shift in the party's leadership dynamics.
Support for Le Pen from European right-wing allies, including Donald Trump and Viktor Orban, underscores the ruling's significance and the potential ramifications for democracy, as expressed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In addition to her five-year ban, Le Pen has received a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison sentence, two years of which are suspended, pending the outcome of her appeals—a process that could extend over several years.
