PARIS: From the fall of the Bastille, which defined the beginning of European democracy to the death of democracy Paris has seen it all. The ruling against Marine Le Pen in French courts, barring her from participating in elections, all but announced the death of democracy in France.
“I do not know the merits of the accusations against Marine Le Pen, nor the reasons for such a strong decision, but I believe that no one who cares about democracy can rejoice over a ruling that strikes the leader of a major party and deprives millions of citizens of representation.”
These were the words of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in an interview with Il Messaggero.
The leader of the French right-wing party spoke on TF1’s 8 PM news broadcast after being convicted of embezzling public funds. Le Pen denounced the ruling as characteristic of a regime, receiving support from her party and right-wing allies worldwide, from the United States to Italy.
Marine Le Pen’s Sentence
On Monday in Paris, Marine Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison—two of which are suspended—for embezzlement, along with a €100,000 fine and a five-year ban from holding public office.
The historic face of the French right-wing was investigated along with 24 other officials and employees of the former Front National for misusing public funds meant for parliamentary assistants between 2004 and 2016 for internal party activities.
Of the other defendants, 23 were found guilty and received various penalties and fines.
This ruling has major political implications for France. As it stands, Marine Le Pen will be unable to run in the 2027 presidential elections.
Following the verdict, Le Pen and her Rassemblement National (RN) team gathered at the party’s headquarters in Paris. RN President Jordan Bardella called the ruling a “democratic scandal,” claiming that “a part of the judicial system” is trying to “block [Le Pen’s] path to the Élysée Palace by any means necessary.”
In response, RN has called for a “peaceful popular mobilization” of its supporters and launched a petition of support on its website. “The dictatorship of judges […] wants to prevent the French people from expressing themselves,” the petition states.
Le Pen reassured her supporters that although “Jordan Bardella is a formidable asset,” she hopes “we won’t have to use him earlier than necessary” for a presidential run.
A survey by Odoxa-Backbone for Le Figaro found that the majority of the French public (61%) and RN supporters (57%) believe the ruling is not a political setback, as Bardella is more popular than Le Pen. Some even see it as an opportunity for the party to “turn the page.”
Reactions in France and Worldwide
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned threats against the judges, writing on X that such actions are “unacceptable in a democracy and alarming for judicial independence.”
Meanwhile, European right-wing leaders reacted strongly. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a longtime ally of Le Pen, posted “Je suis Marine” on X.
“It’s full speed ahead, my friend! Let’s not be intimidated!” declared Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini, who has faced his own legal troubles in the past.
In the Netherlands, Party for Freedom leader Geert Wilders said he was “shocked” by the “extremely harsh” verdict against Marine Le Pen.
The U.S. State Department called the exclusion of a candidate from the political process “concerning,” likening Le Pen’s legal case to the “lawfare” allegedly used against former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Elon Musk weighed in as well, calling the ruling an abuse of the legal system by the “radical left.”
Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, also expressed support. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “More and more European capitals are taking the path of violating democratic norms.”
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