French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has rallied supporters for a protest in central Paris this Sunday, following a court decision banning Marine Le Pen from public office for five years. Le Pen is in hot water for her role in a €2.9 million embezzlement case involving EU funds from 2004 to 2016. Bardella stressed the need for the French people to be “outraged” by the ruling during a Tuesday press conference.
The ban could throw a wrench in Le Pen’s 2027 presidential ambitions, with the Paris Court of Appeal expected to issue a ruling on her case by summer 2026. “We’ll take to the streets this weekend,” Bardella stated, urging for “democratic, peaceful, calm mobilisations.” The first gathering is scheduled for Place Vauban near the Eiffel Tower.
Le Pen herself likened the ruling to a “nuclear bomb” aimed at halting her party’s rise. She emphasized the necessity for her supporters to channel their frustration towards fighting for their cause, insisting they wouldn't be easily sidelined.
As tensions rise, Bardella condemned what he called the “tyranny of the judges” while also defending the judiciary against threats and insults that have surfaced since the verdict. Le Pen’s case has even led to concerns for the safety of the presiding judge, who has been reportedly placed under police protection.
While Le Pen has been a staple of the party and has optimism about a potential fourth presidential run, speculation grows about Bardella, 29, who is seen as a potential successor should Le Pen’s ban hold. Recent polls indicate that many RN voters might prefer Bardella over Le Pen in a presidential race.
International political leaders have voiced their discontent with the ruling, acknowledging it as a serious blow to democratic representation. Alongside a €100,000 fine, Le Pen faces a suspended four-year prison sentence, leaving her and the party to navigate a complex appeals process that could span years.
