In a landmark ruling on March 31, 2025, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN), was sentenced by the Paris Criminal Court to a total of four years in prison, two of which are to be served under an electronic bracelet, along with a hefty fine of 100,000 euros. In addition, she faces an immediate five-year disqualification from holding any public office, effectively barring her from running in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for May 2027.
The court found Le Pen guilty of misappropriating public funds as part of a systemic scheme that spanned from 2004 to 2016, where over four million euros were siphoned from the European Parliament. This scheme involved the fraudulent employment of parliamentary assistants who were, in reality, working for the RN. Alongside Le Pen, 29 co-defendants, including nine former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), were also convicted, with the RN itself being fined 4 million euros, one million of which was suspended.
Le Pen's reaction to the verdict was one of fury; she left the courtroom before the sentence was fully pronounced, and her attorney, Me Rodolphe Bosselut, swiftly announced plans to appeal the decision. "This is a judicial coup against democracy," Le Pen's supporters echoed, framing the ruling as an attack on the will of the people, especially considering that she garnered 13 million votes in the 2022 presidential election, where she lost to Emmanuel Macron.
The court's decision has drawn sharp reactions across the political spectrum. Jordan Bardella, the president of the RN, called for a "popular and peaceful mobilization" in response to what he termed a "democratic scandal," and initiated a petition against the court's ruling. "Today, it is not just Marine Le Pen who is unjustly condemned; it is French democracy that is executed," he declared.
Conversely, various political leaders from the left have called for respect for the judicial process. Former President François Hollande emphasized the necessity of upholding judicial independence, stating, "It is unacceptable in a democracy to attack judges and a court." Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise remarked that the decision to remove an elected official should rest with the people.
Legal experts have noted that the immediate execution of Le Pen's disqualification is particularly significant, as it raises questions about the implications for the upcoming presidential election. Romain Rambaud, a public law professor, stated that this ruling serves not only as a deterrent against potential recidivism but also as a punitive measure reflecting the gravity of the offenses committed.
In the wake of the ruling, several prominent figures from the far-right across Europe expressed their dismay. Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, and Geert Wilders, a Dutch far-right leader, criticized the verdict as an infringement on democratic norms. Wilders expressed his unwavering support for Le Pen, stating, "I believe in her completely and am convinced she will win on appeal and become President of France."
On social media, reactions poured in from various political figures. Elon Musk criticized the ruling as an "abuse of the judicial system," suggesting it exemplifies how the radical left resorts to judicial means when unable to win elections. He warned of a backlash similar to what has been seen in the United States.
In a striking contrast, some leftist leaders reaffirmed the necessity of accountability, with François Ruffin stating, "Marine Le Pen and her 20 accomplices are guilty, not victims!" He noted the gravity of the charges against Le Pen and others involved in the misappropriation scheme, which included hiring family members and associates as parliamentary assistants.
The implications of this ruling extend beyond Le Pen's immediate political future. With her disqualification now in effect, the RN faces a pivotal moment as it must consider its leadership and strategy for the 2027 election. Bardella, at just 29 years old, is seen as a potential successor, having successfully led the party to significant gains in recent elections.
As the political landscape shifts, the RN is positioned at a crossroads. The party must navigate the fallout from this ruling while maintaining the support of its base, which remains deeply loyal to Le Pen. Many voters from her stronghold in Hénin-Beaumont expressed their outrage at the verdict, labeling it a political assassination designed to eliminate their champion.
Looking ahead, the RN plans to launch a campaign to cast the ruling as a violation of democratic principles and to rally support among its constituents. The party's leadership is set to convene a crisis meeting to discuss the next steps in light of the court's decision.
As the dust settles from this significant judicial ruling, all eyes will be on the upcoming appeal process and how it will shape the future of the RN and its leadership. Will Le Pen manage to overturn this ruling and reclaim her political ambitions, or will the party adapt to a new era under Bardella's leadership? Only time will tell.
