On Monday, March 31, 2025, the Paris Criminal Court began delivering its verdict in the high-profile case involving alleged fictitious parliamentary assistants of the Front National (FN), now known as Rassemblement National (RN). This case has attracted significant media attention, as Marine Le Pen, the party leader and former presidential candidate, along with 24 co-defendants, awaited the court's decision after four months of deliberation.
Last autumn, the prosecution requested a harsh sentence against Le Pen, including five years in prison, a fine of 300,000 euros, and a sentence of ineligibility with immediate execution, meaning she could not run for office even if she appealed the decision. As the hearing opened around 10:20 AM, a packed courtroom awaited what many consider a pivotal moment for Le Pen's political future.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Marine Le Pen appeared calm before the verdict. "I read here and there that we would be feverish. Personally, I am not, but I understand that one can be: with the provisional execution, the judges have a right of life or death on our movement," she expressed in an interview prior to the judgment. This statement reflects her awareness of the potential consequences of the court's decision on her political career.
As the judgment was read, it became clear that the court found Le Pen and eight other RN Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) guilty of misappropriation of public funds. The presiding judge announced that Le Pen was specifically found guilty of misappropriating 474,000 euros. The total amount of misappropriated funds attributed to the RN was estimated at 2.9 million euros, stemming from a systematic misuse of European Parliament resources to fund fictitious assistants who were, in reality, working for the party.
In addition to Le Pen's conviction, the twelve assistants tried alongside the MEPs were also found guilty of concealment. The court underscored that this was not an isolated incident but rather a structured scheme that had been in operation for over 11 years, impacting three legislative terms.
As news of the verdict spread, supporters of Le Pen took to social media, rallying around the hashtag #JeSoutiensMarine, demonstrating a show of solidarity amidst the unfolding legal drama. The courtroom atmosphere was tense, with many in attendance holding their breath as the judge detailed the findings, which included dismissing any claims of administrative error. "It is a misappropriation set up in a system to lighten the charges of the party," the judge stated, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the offenses.
Legal experts weighed in on the potential ramifications of the court's decision. Charles Consigny, Le Pen's lawyer, argued that an ineligibility ruling would be disproportionate given the context of the case. He claimed, "There are fanatics of the law on the left who believe it is acceptable to deprive the French people of a candidate who has reached the second round of a presidential election twice. I think that would be completely crazy, and I believe a majority of French people, even those who do not intend to vote for Marine Le Pen, feel she should not be barred from running for office based on these allegations."
The public's reaction in Le Pen's stronghold of Hénin-Beaumont reflected a mix of support and concern. Local residents voiced their belief that the legal proceedings were politically motivated. One resident remarked, "I think they want to stop her," indicating a sentiment that the legal challenges faced by Le Pen are part of a broader effort to undermine her political influence.
As the court's judgment unfolded, Louis Aliot, the vice president of the RN and another defendant, likened the situation to a lottery, stating, "We’ll see... It’s a bit like the national lottery; you never know until the end." His comments captured the uncertainty surrounding the potential outcomes of the verdict, especially for those facing possible ineligibility.
Following the verdict, Le Pen faces a challenging political landscape. If the court's ruling includes immediate ineligibility, she would be barred from running in the next presidential election scheduled for 2027. This scenario raises questions about the future leadership of the RN, especially as Le Pen has recently indicated that Jordan Bardella, the party's current president, possesses the capability to lead the party and potentially run for the presidency. "When you reach Jordan Bardella's level at his age, there’s no reason to shy away from ambitions that could surpass his current role," she stated in a recent interview.
Olivier Faure, a prominent figure from the Socialist Party, called for respect for the separation of powers, expressing concern that political figures were attempting to influence judicial outcomes. He remarked, "You have a very clear principle in France, which is the separation of powers. It is how democracy functions because there is not one power that imposes itself on the others. This balance requires respect for justice and magistrates. We cannot, every time a decision disturbs us, claim that the magistrates are politicized."
The outcome of the trial has significant implications not only for Le Pen and her co-defendants but also for the RN's future as a political force in France. With the judgment now delivered, the party must grapple with the consequences of this legal battle and its impact on the upcoming electoral landscape.
