Marine Le Pen Convicted by French Court and Banned from Running For Office

What Happened?

A French court convicted Marine Le Pen on embezzlement charges, sentencing the right-wing political figure to jail and banning her from running for office for five years. 

The verdict bans Marine Le Pen from running for President in France in 2027. The judge in the case said, “nobody is entitled to immunity in violation of the law.” Ms. Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two of those years being suspended.

Le Pen’s supporters took to social media to offer their response, including this one from her protégé Jordan Bardella: “Not only has Marine Le Pen been unjustly convicted, French democracy has been executed.”

Why it Matters

The verdict set off a wide range of reactions not only across France but also across Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared “Je suis Marine!” (Which means “I am Marine!”)

However, one French lawmaker countered by saying “Is our society really so sick that we are going to take offense at what is no more and no less than the rule of law?” 

For her own part Ms. Le Pen called the verdict “Incredible” adding that “I’m not going to submit to a democratic denial so easily.” She also claimed that millions of people in France were outraged by the verdict, though that remains to be seen.

Ms. Le Pen was the clear frontrunner for the 2027 French Presidential elections, leading incumbent Emmanuel Marcon by as many as ten points according to some public opinion polls. Mr. Marcon cannot seek another term, which means Ms. Le Pen’s polling at 37% of the vote had put her squarely in the lead to be France’s next President. 

To be eligible for the 2027 Ms. Le Pen will need to win an appeal, which could still happen well before the next French Presidential elections. The conviction of Ms. Le Pen could increase an already tumultuous political climate in France, which has seen outpouring of popular anger and protests against the current administration of Emmanuel Marcon. 

The conviction could intensify French politics and energize Ms. Le Pen’s supporters, although they would still have to wait two years before the French Presidency is up for grabs. The conviction could also energize right-leaning populists across Europe and even in the United States, as the comments by Viktor Orban illustrated. 

How it Affects You

Ms. Le Pen accused the French court of political persecution, a charge which will likely resonate with other right-leaning politicians in Europe and the United States.

With no national election in the United States this year, the ramifications are likely to be felt more strongly across Europe.