Marine Le Pen’s Political Future in doubt, verdict rocks French far right

[Social Media]

 

“Incredible.” That was the single word Marine Le Pen whispered under her breath as she stormed out of a Paris courtroom this morning. Her departure came before she could even hear the full details of her sentencing, which included a five-year ban from running for office after being found guilty of embezzling EU funds. This ruling all but guarantees she will be unable to contest the 2027 French presidential election.

 

 

Even before the judge had finished delivering the sentence, Le Pen knew that her political future was in ruins. The ruling was immediate and left no room for reprieve, despite her plans to appeal. The court also imposed a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, but this will remain on hold pending the appeal. However, the political consequences were swift and decisive.

 

The shock of the verdict was exacerbated by the widespread belief that such a harsh ruling was unlikely. Across the political spectrum, there had been a general consensus that the court would not go so far as to bar her from office. Even her political adversaries—from far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon to centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou and right-wing Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin—had expressed doubt that this ultimate penalty would be applied. But they were all mistaken. The judge made it clear: the law is the law.

 

 

Ironically, the very politicians now protesting the decision had themselves recently toughened the penalties for the misuse of public funds. The judge effectively reminded them that they were now facing the consequences of their own legal reforms.

 

Perhaps Le Pen was naive in not foreseeing this outcome. Her National Rally (RN) party seemed unprepared for such a scenario. In the wake of the ruling, party leaders convened in an emergency session to determine their next steps. The dilemma was clear: should they continue as if there were still a chance for Le Pen to run in 2027? Technically, there is still a slim possibility. Her appeal could be expedited, with a ruling potentially arriving by early 2026. A favorable verdict could reduce or eliminate her period of ineligibility, making her candidacy viable once more. But realistically, the chances of such an outcome appear low.

 

Alternatively, the party could shift to Plan B—positioning its young president, Jordan Bardella, as the de facto candidate for 2027. This might be the more pragmatic approach, but making the transition too quickly could be seen as unseemly. Moreover, Bardella, though popular, does not enjoy universal support within the party.

 

By the evening, Marine Le Pen had made her choice. Appearing on television, she struck a defiant tone, refusing to retreat from political life. She denounced the ruling as a “political” decision and a “violation of the state of law.” Calling for a swift appeal trial, she insisted that her name must be cleared in time for the next election. “There are millions of French people who believe in me. For 30 years, I have been fighting against injustice. It is what I shall continue to do right to the end,” she declared.

 

Her words were resolute, but the future remains uncertain. One pressing question is how the court’s decision will impact the RN’s voter base. In the short term, the party may see a surge in support. The ruling fits neatly into the RN’s long-standing narrative that the populist right is persecuted by the establishment. Many of Le Pen’s supporters are unlikely to hold her alleged misuse of EU funds against her, especially given that similar financial maneuvers have been employed by other political parties in the past. Her punishment—being banned from the presidency—may even serve as a rallying cry, reinforcing her image as a defiant outsider standing up to the political elite.

 

In the longer term, however, the effects of her disqualification could be more damaging. Marine Le Pen is a crucial asset to the RN. Her tough-talking, battle-hardened persona, softened by her sentimental side and well-known love of cats, has endeared her to supporters who feel they know her personally. Jordan Bardella, though charismatic, is only 29 years old. It remains to be seen whether he can command the same level of loyalty and recognition. If Le Pen is ultimately unable to run, the RN risks losing much of its appeal.

 

Meanwhile, other right-wing politicians outside the RN, such as Laurent Wauquiez and Bruno Retailleau, may see an opportunity to gain ground in a post-Le Pen landscape. The ruling could open the door for them to consolidate support from voters who might otherwise have backed the RN.

 

Another unknown factor is how Le Pen will respond within the National Assembly. As the leader of the largest opposition bloc, with 125 seats, she has so far maintained a relatively cooperative stance towards Prime Minister François Bayrou, who governs without a majority. This cordiality may now come to an abrupt end. At RN headquarters, the question will likely be: why continue to play nice? With Le Pen sidelined from the presidential race, there may be little incentive to refrain from more aggressive opposition tactics, potentially leading to increased political instability.

 

The consequences of today’s verdict will ripple through French politics for months, if not years, to come. Marine Le Pen has vowed to fight on, but the path ahead is murky, and the future of the National Rally remains uncertain.

 

 

Based on a report by BBC  2025-04-01

 

 

 

[flyingtlger]

Just like ALL politicians all over the world, they all crooked, some just hide it better........

 

 

[hotsun]

Humorous that Europe thinks they still have free elections. They are as democratic as thailand

[merck]

Well, the next election's now been stolen.

[Gecko123]

A justified verdict. Kudos to the judge for not caving into political pressure. Embezzling money from the EU, especially when you are anti-EU, to help finance one's own political ambitions, is sinister and a violation of public trust.

 

What did Jasmine Crockett say about MTG? Bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body? Equally applicable here. A bitter conniving vaping racist viper who won't be missed any more than her father. Good riddance.

[Tug]

43 minutes ago, merck said:

Well, the next election's now been stolen.

That’s excactly what they will try to push,just like the big lie here.i wish our AG in 2020 was a lot more aggressive unfortunately he wasent now we have a mess.

[Gecko123]

The idea that holding politicians accountable turns a democracy into a banana republic needs to be thrown out the window. The French have it right. Former French president Sarkosy is currently on trial for having allegedly made a deal with Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 presidential election campaign. No one is above the law, and we are witnessing right now in America what happens when someone is allowed to think that they are.

[Chomper Higgot]

Another rightwing politician who’s all law and order until she’s on the receiving end of some of it as a result of her own criminality.

 

It’s a thing.

[James105]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Another rightwing politician who’s all law and order until she’s on the receiving end of some of it as a result of her own criminality.

 

It’s a thing.

 

It's a thing for certain politicians in Europe yes, depending on their politics and how much of a threat they are to the establishment.  I presume that you are fine with Christine Lagarde facing no punishment at all for a far more significant criminal act than simply mis-assigning aides time to work on party business rather than EU business?

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/christine-lagarde-convicted-imf-head-found-guilty-of-negligence-in-fraud-trial-a7484586.html

 

Christine Lagarde convicted: IMF head found guilty of criminal charges over massive government payout

But former French finance minister, who faced potentially one year in jail, will not face any punishment

[JonnyF]

They need to be very careful.

 

Using the courts to remove political figures in order to affect the outcome of Democratic elections failed in America, fortunately with Trump still emerging from the shameful kangaroo courts to be victorious via the ballot box.

 

History tells us the reaction in France could be a lot less peaceful. 

[Ben Zioner]

One Nazi down, keep up the good work...

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

One Nazi down, keep up the good work...

 

You guys never learn. 😄

[frank83628]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

That’s excactly what they will try to push,just like the big lie here.i wish our AG in 2020 was a lot more aggressive unfortunately he wasent now we have a mess.

You might think that, Trump voters don't.

[frank83628]

They had to stop her because she was going to win and upset the Apple cart just as Trump has done, same in Romania, and they changed the rules in Austria... the EU leftists are panicking because  'right' are gaining in popularity everywhere because the people are few up with being treaded as second class citizens.

[Yagoda]

I think its time to 50% tariff all products from France. 

 

Its going to be a long hot summer in Europe. 

[frank83628]

3 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

A justified verdict. Kudos to the judge for not caving into political pressure. Embezzling money from the EU, especially when you are anti-EU, to help finance one's own political ambitions, is sinister and a violation of public trust.

 

What did Jasmine Crockett say about MTG? Bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body? Equally applicable here. A bitter conniving vaping racist viper who won't be missed any more than her father. Good riddance.

Yes, that's why she was the leader of her party and almost won a couple of times.  You old gits are all the same, blinkered to anything other than the MSM narratives. 

[BerndD]

It's good that France is not like the US. In the USA, a criminal, a liar and a fraudster could become president.

In France, the judiciary is still independent! Thank God or whomever!

[Yagoda]

3 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

A justified verdict. Kudos to the judge for not caving into political pressure. Embezzling money from the EU, especially when you are anti-EU, to help finance one's own political ambitions, is sinister and a violation of public trust.

 

What did Jasmine Crockett say about MTG? Bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body? Equally applicable here. A bitter conniving vaping racist viper who won't be missed any more than her father. Good riddance.

What part of France do you live in? Do you speak French?

[BerndD]

13 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I think its time to 50% tariff all products from France. 

 

Its going to be a long hot summer in Europe. 

100% tariffs on your comments!  

[Yagoda]

6 minutes ago, BerndD said:

It's good that France is not like the US. In the USA, a criminal, a liar and a fraudster could become president.

In France, the judiciary is still independent! Thank God or whomever!

It's good that France is not like the US. In France, the authoritarian's are allowed to use the criminal law to deprive the people of their rights to choose a leader.

 

 

[Yagoda]

2 minutes ago, BerndD said:

100% tariffs on your comments!  

Awwww, what a cute little flame. Arent you so clever....

[BerndD]

Just now, Yagoda said:

Awwww, what a cute little flame. Arent you so clever....

What part of USA do you live in? Do you speak MAGAish?

[Chomper Higgot]

22 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I think its time to 50% tariff all products from France. 

 

Its going to be a long hot summer in Europe. 

Can’t be doing businesses with nations that uphold the rule of law.

[JonnyF]

20 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I think its time to 50% tariff all products from France. 

 

Its going to be a long hot summer in Europe. 

 

I actually think that's a great idea. 

 

And Trump should make it absolutely clear that America does not tolerate these political decisions that consistently try to jail the leaders of any right wing parties. 

 

Hit them in the pocket and embarrass them at the same time. 

 

I'd also like to see a similar approach to Starmer for his war on individual freedoms and liberty. 

[Chomper Higgot]

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

It's good that France is not like the US. In France, the authoritarian's are allowed to use the criminal law to deprive the people of their rights to choose a leader.

 

 

The French have got to the bit of disappearing people without any recourse to due process for lawfully expressing their.

 

You’ll need to look a bit closer to home for that.

[mfd101]

12 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

What part of France do you live in? Do you speak French?

And the relevance of that is what?

[rough diamond]

16 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

What part of France do you live in? Do you speak French?

What part of France do you live in? Do you speak French?

[Yagoda]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

I actually think that's a great idea. 

 

And Trump should make it absolutely clear that America does not tolerate these political decisions that consistently try to jail the leaders of any right wing parties. 

 

Hit them in the pocket and embarrass them at the same time. 

 

I'd also like to see a similar approach to Starmer for his war on individual freedoms and liberty. 

I mean if you look at it, what does France give us? Wine and Cheese? Bochum French press? Guess the cocktail parties for the Yale faculty are gonna get more expensive. 

 

Can you see the conversion:

 

"It's so despicable, Trump's tariffs have raised the price of Fussy Poossy to $50 a bottle. How are we going to have the party to celebrate Muhammed Xs new Book "Kill all Capitalists" if we have to buy a case of that. What? No!!!!! What do you think we are, factory workers? They wont reelect me as Chairperson of the Transgender Education Committee for Pre Schoolers. Box wine indeed!! Maybe some Bud Light. Damn Trump and his tariffs on the French, why should WE suffer instead of his mouth breathing box wine drinking cult supporters. O well, I can save on the cheese, its laid out unwrapped so no one will know its from Wisconsin and even Professor Arschloche-Perpetua cant tell the difference. He will be giving the talk on 'Intersectionality and the Issue of Post Modernist Gender Assumptions among Amazon Poison Dart Frogs'. Cant wait to see you! I stashed some of the French stuff for me and you later".

[BerndD]

14 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The French have got to the bit of disappearing people without any recourse to due process for lawfully expressing their.

 

You’ll need to look a bit closer to home for that.

 

I bet that you are not CE certified. This is a certification of quality.

[Yagoda]

14 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You’ll need to look a bit closer to home for that.

That does not happen in the USA