Marine Le Pen’s political career is now in ruins.
After years of planning her rise to the top of French politics, she has been abruptly pushed aside, and her fall may be prolonged and difficult.
The leader of the far right, who was initially the frontrunner for the 2027 French presidential election, is now prohibited from running for public office for five years as part of a criminal conviction.
Marine Le Pen. Pic: Reuters
Marine Le Pen latest: ‘Catastrophic end of political career’
Le Pen, like politicians and assistants from her National Rally (RN) party, has been found guilty of embezzlement – of taking millions of euros that were meant to be used for work in the European Parliament and instead using it for the party’s other activities.
Her almost certain appeal notwithstanding, her ban has already come into effect.
Le Pen left the court just before her punishment was announced, heading to a meeting with her party’s president, Jordan Bardella – the most likely candidate to take her place.
“Today, it is not just Marine Le Pen who is being condemned unjustly,” said Bardella. “It is French democracy being ‘executed.'”
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The court’s ruling has been politicised rapidly. The Kremlin accused European countries of “violating democratic norms.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban issued a statement of support, saying “Je Suis Marine.”
Assuming Le Pen does not succeed in her appeal, Edouard Philippe, a former prime minister, may be the favourite to win the 2027 election.
Bardella’s chances could be boosted by being Le Pen’s chosen successor, but at 29, he is distinctly young – a full decade younger than anyone who has previously won the presidency.
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