French far-right leader Marine Le Pen addressed her supporters in Paris, stating that she would fight against a political, rather than judicial, decision that could prevent her from running in the upcoming presidential election. This comes after a rally denounced her conviction for embezzlement as an “existential threat” to the rule of law.

Le Pen, the figurehead of the far-right National Rally (RN), stated that the decision violated everything she holds dear, including her people, country, and honor. She vowed not to give up and said she was a victim of a “witch hunt,” adding that her party is the most ardent defender of the rule of law.

Marine Tondelier, the National Secretary of French left-wing Les Ecologistes (EELV) party, countered Le Pen’s claims by saying that Le Pen’s defense amounts to a “total conspiracy theory” and a full-blown attack on judicial independence. Tondelier stated that this issue transcends Le Pen and concerns the defense of the rule of law against those who believe justice is optional.

Manuel Bompard of the radical left France Unbowed (LFI) criticized the RN, stating that their true colors have been revealed after years of trying to clean up their image. He argued that this decision is dangerous for democracy and the rule of law.

Police reported 7,000 people at the RN rally and 5,000 at the rival left-wing event. Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate, was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to four years in prison, with a possible electronic bracelet. Under this conviction, she faces a five-year ban on running for public office.

The Paris appeals court will deliver a verdict on her case by summer, potentially allowing her to contest the 2027 presidential race if her conviction is overturned. The ruling has dramatically shaken up the political landscape and been attacked by far-right politicians in France and beyond as politically motivated and anti-democratic.

Jordan Bardella, the RN’s 29-year-old president, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the court decision, stating that it not only condemns Le Pen but also French democracy. He considered it a “dark day” for the nation’s history and a direct attack on democracy.

In her rally, Le Pen mentioned that the RN would follow the example of Martin Luther King’s struggle for civil rights. Some supporters expressed outrage over the sentence, while others argued that it was a flawed decision based on unclear legal texts.

On the Place de la République, thousands of protesters waved signs against Trumpism and emphasized the importance of upholding the law. Primary school teacher Vincent Lemaitre supported the court’s decision, stating that it showed the democracy working, and that the law was applied equally to all politicians, including those from the RN.

Meanwhile, Macron’s Renaissance party and its allies in Saint-Denis warned of an “existential threat” to the rule of law. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the importance of not politicizing the court’s decision and urged people to stick to the facts. He also denounced interference in France’s affairs from figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Viktor Orbán, and Matteo Salvini.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/06/le-pen-vows-to-fight-political-ruling-as-frances-main-parties-stage-rival-rallies