Threatened by an ineligibility ruling that would destroy her Elysée ambitions for 2027, Marine Le Pen was a guest on the TF1 news this Friday evening. In the midst of the trial of the so-called “parliamentary assistants”, the president of the National Rally (RN) group in the Assembly once again denounced the partiality of the magistrates and their “repugnant” indictment, calling for these last five years of ineligibility with provisional execution – that is, with immediate application even in the event of an appeal – which could exclude him from the presidential race.
Their alleged fury has, according to her, only one objective: “to prevent 11 million French people from voting for whoever they want” during the next presidential elections. “It is my political death that we want”, denounced Marine Le Pen, a few seconds after mentioning a “political death sentence”. “We are innocent of the alleged acts and have not stolen any of the French laws,” assured the RN leader.
“I arrived with the hope of justice, I showed up at all the hearings. I realized that it was not the contender who was being targeted, but the political target”, Marine Le Pen also complained, on TF1. “We are sorry, but the accusation must be pronounced by magistrates subject to impartiality”, she added. I’m not so naive as to not understand what the message is. The idea that we could deprive the French of their choice is unbearable.
The RN launches a petition
At the trial against the parliamentary assistants, the public prosecution, judging Marine Le Pen to be at the “centre” of an “organised system” aimed at making the European Parliament the “cash cow” of the RN, issued severe requisitions on her on Wednesday: five years of imprisonment, three of which are suspended, a fine of 300,000 euros… and therefore five years of ineligibility with provisional execution.
In response, the far-right party launched a petition on Thursday to “defend democracy” and “support Marine” Le Pen. “The prosecution wishes to circumvent the democratic and electoral process by eliminating Marine Le Pen,” writes Rassegne National on X (formerly Twitter).
How might Marine Le Pen’s rhetoric influence public trust in France’s judicial system?
Interview with a Political Analyst on Marine Le Pen’s Recent TF1 Appearance
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have with us Dr. Claire Dubois, a political analyst with a keen interest in French politics. Claire, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Claire Dubois (CD): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Marine Le Pen’s recent appearance on TF1 was striking. She referred to the legal challenges against her as a “political death sentence.” What do you make of this language?
CD: Marine Le Pen is known for her emotive language, and this is no exception. By framing her legal troubles in such dramatic terms, she seeks to rally her base and position herself as a victim of a biased system. It’s a strategic move to galvanize support ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
TNE: She emphasized the idea that the ruling could prevent 11 million French citizens from voting for who they want. How do you interpret this argument?
CD: It’s a classic populist tactic. Le Pen is essentially saying that the establishment is trying to undermine democracy by sidelining her candidacy. This resonates with her supporters, many of whom feel disillusioned with the traditional political class. By presenting herself as the last defender of their right to choose, she strengthens her position as a populist leader.
TNE: During the interview, she referred to the magistrates’ actions as “repugnant” and accused them of partiality. How does this rhetoric affect the public’s perception of the judiciary in France?
CD: Such accusations can have a significant impact. By discrediting the judiciary, Le Pen aims to foster skepticism about its impartiality. This not only reinforces her narrative of victimhood but also can create a divisive atmosphere where her supporters begin to question the integrity of legal institutions. It’s a dangerous precedent, as it could undermine trust in the judiciary at large.
TNE: Given the backdrop of this legal case concerning her alleged misuse of parliamentary assistants, what are the broader implications for her party, the National Rally (RN), and its future?
CD: The RN has been trying to shed its extremist past and position itself more centrally to appeal to a broader electorate. However, if Le Pen faces ineligibility, it could lead to a significant setback for the party’s legitimacy. In the short term, it could energize her base, but in the long term, if the RN is perceived as a party that can’t escape legal troubles, it could hinder their electoral aspirations.
TNE: Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, what strategies do you think Le Pen will employ if these legal challenges persist?
CD: I expect her to continue leveraging the rhetoric of victimhood and persecution, framing herself as a protector of the French people against a corrupt establishment. Additionally, she will likely double down on populist policies that resonate with voters, focusing on issues like immigration, national sovereignty, and economic protectionism. Moreover, building alliances with other right-wing factions might also be a key strategy for her.
TNE: It’s certainly a complex situation. Thank you for your insightful analysis, Claire!
CD: Thank you for having me. It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds in the coming months.
TNE: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with us for more updates on French politics and beyond!