Le Pen Appeals Ruling That Could Bar Her From 2027 Race

A very effective means of winning elections, used by all Left-wing governments, is simply to ban your opponents from standing in the election.

From The European Conservative

By Michael Curzon

The case returns to court after a conviction triggered a political storm and cast doubt over the future of France’s most prominent challenger to the establishment.

“I am not going to let myself be eliminated like this,” Marine Le Pen said after a court ruling last March threatened to bar her from standing in the 2027 presidential election. As her appeal opens this week, that warning is now being put to the test.

The hearing will revisit her conviction for misappropriating public funds and decide whether a five-year bar from holding public office is overturned.

Le Pen told reporters ahead of the proceedings that “my sole line of defence for this appeal trial will be the same as during the first instance trial: to tell the truth.”

The case will be reset from scratch, and will be judged by new magistrates. I hope to be better heard, and to convince them of my innocence.

The political leader also noted that this case will not stop her from campaigning—that “I will continue to be out in the field, supporting our candidates in the municipal elections.”

Indeed, Le Pen believes that with RN President Jordan Bardella at the helm, “and all of our elected officials, our executives, and our activists, we are ready to carry our movement to victory.”

The hearing is due to end on February 12th.

Officials from the European Parliament have, of course, expressed their hope that Le Pen’s conviction is upheld.

Pictured: Marine Le Pen, Member of the National Assembly for Pas-de-Calais's 11th constituency, & Leader of the Groupe Rassemblement National (RN) in the National Assembly