Marine Le Pen sentenced: a political decision she contests and an uncertain future for 2027

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally’s parliamentary group, was sentenced on Monday, March 31, to five years of ineligibility with immediate execution, as well as four years in prison, two of which are firm under electronic monitoring, in the case of the National Front’s European parliamentary assistants. This decision currently prevents her from running in the 2027 presidential election and disrupts the French political landscape.

A contested conviction and an imminent appeal

As a guest on TF1’s 8 PM news, Marine Le Pen strongly reacted, denouncing a “political decision” aimed at excluding her from the presidential race. She claims that the presiding judge justified the ruling to prevent her from running in 2027, calling it a “violation of the rule of law.” According to her, the Sapin II law, which toughens penalties for financial misconduct, should not have applied to her case as it was enacted after the alleged offenses. She thus argues that the judges “adjusted the law” to declare her ineligible.

Determined not to be “eliminated this way,” the Pas-de-Calais MP announced she would appeal “as soon as possible.” She urged the judiciary to speed up the process, arguing that “if she were acquitted after 2027, the legitimacy of the elected president would be called into question.” She reaffirmed her trust in the appellate court to review her case “impartially” and expressed hope for a fairer judgment.

Impact on the future of the National Rally

If her conviction is upheld on appeal, the question of an alternative candidate will arise. When asked whether Jordan Bardella could replace her, Marine Le Pen described the young National Rally president as a “tremendous asset” for the movement but insisted that she “hoped not to have to use this asset sooner than necessary.”

However, within the National Rally, this conviction is already raising questions about the party’s future and electoral strategy. While several party officials have expressed their support for Marine Le Pen, some do not rule out the need to anticipate a transition if the ruling is confirmed.

No intention of leaving the political stage

Marine Le Pen firmly denied any suggestion of political retirement: “It is the voters who decide. I am not demoralized; I am outraged.” Reaffirming her fight against what she perceives as an injustice, she is determined to exhaust all legal avenues and continue her political commitment “at all costs.”

Finally, she ruled out requesting a presidential pardon, arguing that “this case should have remained a mere administrative disagreement with the European Parliament.” She is counting on the appellate court to re-examine the case with “neutrality” and hopes to see her conviction overturned. Until then, her political future remains tied to a judicial decision that could reshape the French electoral landscape.