Far-Right Leader Calls for Supportive Rally in Paris Amid Le Pen's Legal Troubles

In a dramatic response to Marine Le Pen’s five-year ban from holding public office, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally party, has organized a rally in Paris this Sunday. Le Pen's legal woes stem from her involvement in a large embezzlement case involving EU funds, which has sparked outrage among her supporters and heightened tensions in the French political landscape.

Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN), has announced a rally in the heart of Paris for this Sunday to protest a recent court decision that blocks Marine Le Pen from running for public office for five years. This decision comes as Le Pen was found to be central to an embezzlement case that siphoned off €2.9 million ($3.4 million) of EU funds from 2004 to 2016. Although she has the right to appeal, the ban is effective immediately, jeopardizing her chance for the 2027 presidential race.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Bardella expressed the need for citizens to be "outraged" by the judicial ruling, emphasizing that they would take to the streets this weekend for "democratic, peaceful, calm mobilisations." The rally is set to take place near the Eiffel Tower at Place Vauban. Le Pen characterized the court's actions as deploying a "nuclear bomb" to prevent the RN from attaining power, indicating a high-stakes struggle against a system she claims is conspiring against them.

In the wake of the court's decision, both Le Pen and Bardella condemned the backlash faced by the judges involved in the case, citing threats and attacks against them as "unacceptable." The prosecutor general at the Court of Cassation noted the intensity of personalized threats, even indicating that the presiding judge had to be placed under protection due to safety concerns.

Despite Le Pen's determination to contest the ban, she faces a critical situation as she was aiming for her fourth presidential bid and had previously been seen as a strong contender. Bardella, while currently avoiding speculating about succession plans, has emerged as a potential alternative. Reports indicate that around 60% of RN supporters would consider backing him over Le Pen should he enter the race.

Notably, Le Pen has garnered international backing from various right-wing leaders, including Hungary's Viktor Orban and former U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom criticized the court's ruling. Le Pen’s legal troubles have also come with a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison sentence, two years of which are suspended pending her appeal.

As the RN prepares for the Paris rally, political analysts are watching closely to see how the far-right movement navigates these challenges and what impact this will have on upcoming elections in France.