[By Guancha Observer Wang Yi] On April 6 local time, Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right party "National Rally," who was sentenced to be banned from running for public office for five years due to suspected embezzlement of EU funds, stated at a rally in Place Vauban, Paris, that France's survival is precarious, this ruling is a "political persecution" against her, and she "will not give up" resisting.

Le Pen also called on supporters to resist the judicial actions against her in a "peaceful democratic way," like American civil rights leader Martin Luther King. She said: "We are not asking to be above the law, but we demand no less than the law."

The Independent reported that on the 6th, thousands of Le Pen's supporters gathered at Place Vauban for what was described as a protest, but observers said this protest had all the characteristics of an election rally. In response, some left-wing and centrist forces held counter-rallies against the far right on the same day.

In front of supporters shouting "Marine," Le Pen and her allies fiercely criticized what they called suppressed freedom of speech, biased judges, and a "system" aimed at preventing their party from gaining power. She said this situation is happening because France is in "ruins and chaos."

Le Pen stated, "I will not give up." She believes that the court's ruling banning her from running for public office for five years is "political persecution" intended to prevent her from participating in the 2027 French presidential election. Politico EU reported on the 6th that she has been leading in this election, and the court's ruling last week does not seem to have weakened her electoral strength.

Marine Le Pen at the rally in Place Vauban, Paris, Reuters

On March 31, the French court found Le Pen guilty of illegally misappropriating EU funds to pay wages to her party staff, depriving her of the right to run for office for five years. In addition, the court sentenced her to four years in prison (two years suspended, two years under electronic monitoring), and fined her €100,000. It was introduced that the punishment took effect immediately and remained valid during the appeal period. This means that even if Le Pen appeals, unless she wins the case before the 2027 French presidential election, she still cannot run for office.

France 24 reported on April 6 that Le Pen's conviction drew criticism from global far-right forces. Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and head of the League Party of Italy, among other far-right allies of Le Pen, came to her defense.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously spoke out, saying that the verdict was "political persecution by European leftists using legal means to suppress free speech and censor opponents." The New York Times commented that Le Pen's criticism of the French judicial system echoes Trump's dissatisfaction with U.S. courts, but compared to Trump, her tone was not as intense, and the crowd was not as emotionally charged as during the "U.S. Capitol riot."

Le Pen also cited the spirit of Martin Luther King, calling on supporters to protest in a "peaceful democratic way." She emphasized on the podium inscribed with the words "Let's Save Democracy": "Despite our opponents' delusions, there should be no spirit of inciting rebellion among us."

Le Pen supporters attend the rally in Place Vauban, Paris. Video screenshot

Jordan Bardella, considered Le Pen's most likely "replacement" and current chairman of the National Rally, stood firmly with Le Pen at the rally on the 6th. He emphasized at the rally that they do not want to "vilify all judges," but the ruling against Le Pen is a "direct attack on democracy and a hurt to millions of patriotic French people," aiming to "exclude her from the presidential race."

A spokesperson for the National Rally said that although the party will strive to nominate Le Pen as a candidate, Bardella is the "most natural and legitimate" alternative. Bardella currently refuses to reveal whether he is the National Rally's "backup option," but expressed "anger" over the ruling against Le Pen. BBC reported that polls the day before Le Pen's ruling showed that 60% of National Rally voters would turn to Bardella.

France 24 reported that some left-wing forces and centrist camps held counter-rallies against the far right on the same day. The ruling Renaissance Party held a rally in the working-class neighborhood of Saint-Denis, north of Paris. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal accused the far right of "attacking our judges, attacking our institutions," and sternly said, "If you steal, you must pay the price."

Attal also condemned unprecedented foreign interference in French affairs and pointed out that Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban support Le Pen. Current Prime Minister François Belamy and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe both attended the counter-rally on the 6th, with the latter planning to run for president in 2027.

On the 6th, about 3,000 left-wing activists, including those from the far-left party "France Unbowed," held a counter-rally at the Republic Square. Coordinator Manuel Bompard of "France Unbowed" said that after years of attempts to become mainstream, the far right has revealed its true colors, "The far right is a dangerous party, a danger to democracy and the rule of law."

The far-right forces in France are rising. France 24 cited that if Le Pen runs in the presidential election, she will top the first round. The court's ruling does not seem to have weakened her electoral strength. Politico EU reported that a survey commissioned after the ruling showed that Le Pen won 32% to 36% of the vote in the first round of the 2027 presidential election, far ahead of her competitors.

The Independent pointed out that although Le Pen's ban on holding public office takes immediate effect, her imprisonment and fine will only be confirmed after her appeal is decided. Le Pen has appealed the ruling, vowing to use every legitimate means to participate in the election. The Paris Court of Appeal said it expects to make a decision before the summer of 2026.

However, Politico EU reported that Le Pen's arguments have not received much support from the public. An Elabe poll showed that 68% of respondents believe the immediate ban on holding public office is "normal," and the French polling institute Odoxa also found that 54% of French people believe that this ruling indicates that "French democracy operates well because there is a separation of powers."

This article is an exclusive contribution by Guancha Observer and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7490398185911878159/

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