“Cease” against Marine Le Pen and “attack on democracy”: the requisitions of the Prosecutor’s Office in the trial against the parliamentary assistants of the RN triggered a wave of protests on Wednesday in the right wing, including former Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin .
The leader of the National Rally, three times presidential candidate (2012, 2017 and 2022), sees the request for ineligibility as an intention to stop her political rise. “The only thing that the Prosecutor’s Office was interested in was Marine Le Pen being able to ask for her exclusion from political life (..) and then the National Rally being able to ruin the party”, stated the head of deputies of the RN at the hearing at the end of the requisitions .
Two and a half years before the 2027 presidential election, the accusation shows “the desire to deprive the French of the possibility of voting for whoever they want,” he said.
The Prosecutor’s Office has asked for five years in prison, of which two of imprisonment, a fine of 300 thousand euros and five years of ineligibility against Marine Le Pen, judging her to be at the “centre” of an “organised system” aimed at making the European Parliament the milking” of the RN. If the judge followed the accusation, the sentence of ineligibility, accompanied by provisional execution, would be applied starting from the conviction, even in the event of an appeal.
The accusation is not in justice: it is in the implacability and revenge against Marine Le Pen.
His scandalous requisitions aim to deprive millions of French people of their vote in 2027. This is an attack on democracy.
All my Marine support.… pic.twitter.com/8V7aioZWSn
— Jordan Bardella (@J_Bardella) November 13, 2024
“The accusation is not in justice: it is in implacability and revenge against Marine Le Pen”, adds the president of the RN, Jordan Bardella, on the social network to deprive millions of French people of their vote in 2027. This is an attack on democracy,” he insisted.
For the granddaughter of the main interested party, “it is not up to the judges to decide who can run in the presidential elections”. When questioned on BFMTV, Marion Maréchal even believes that the ineligibility penalty “should not be able to be imposed in France” and that this is “a true denial of democracy”.
On BFMTV on Thursday morning, the party’s vice-president and deputy, Sébastien Chenu, denounced the requisitions as “without any nuance”, “outrageous” and “completely unworthy”. “The unacknowledged goal is to eliminate Marine Le Pen from political life,” he said. For him the Prosecutor’s Office is “at the service of a political mission”. The RN MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy denounced, for his part, on France 2, “almost fanatical requisitions”.
“In the polls”
Just like the party president, many RN elected officials posted photos of themselves with
The course of French democracy must not be confiscated from the voters again.
Support for @MLP_official. Our nation’s democratic destiny must be decided at the ballot box, not in politicized courtrooms.
“The course of French democracy must not be confiscated from the voters again”, launched Éric Ciotti, evoking the precedent of François Fillon who had to give up running for president in 2017 because he was suspected of fictitiously employing his wife. “The democratic destiny of our nation must be played out at the ballot box and not in politicized courts,” insisted the former Republican president who joined Marine Le Pen’s camp in June.
A rare voice outside the far-right camp, Gérald Darmanin also believed that “the fight against Madame Le Pen takes place at the ballot box, not elsewhere”. “If the court thinks she should be convicted, she cannot be convicted electorally, without the expression of the People,” he told THE elite and the vast majority of our fellow citizens.”
A position openly criticized by the head of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, who sees in it a “big and embarrassing wink from someone who pretends to pity the one whose electorate he dreams of recovering” and denounces a “big violation of the principle of separation of powers”. .
“What a scandal!” Marine Le Pen must be able to run in the presidential elections”, argued Sarah Knafo, MEP of the Zemmorist Reconquête party, while the sovereignist Nicolas Dupont-Aignan also sees the desire to “muzzle the French people”.
When questioned on CNews this Thursday morning, Justice Minister Didier Migaud insisted he had “no right to comment on the current cases”. “I must guarantee the independence of the judiciary,” he declared, affirming that “justice is totally independent”. “Justice is not done on television. »
ize #Marine #Pen #attack #democracy
How does the RN’s framing of Marine Le Pen’s legal challenges reflect broader trends in populism across Europe?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on the RN Trial and Its Implications for French Democracy
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special interview segment. Today, we’re diving into a significant and contentious topic in French politics—the trial of Marine Le Pen and the implications of the Prosecutor’s Office’s requests for her ineligibility. Joining us is Dr. Claire Dubois, a political scientist and expert in French political dynamics. Claire, thank you for being here.
Dr. Claire Dubois: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment in French politics, and I’m eager to discuss it.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent requisition from the Prosecutor’s Office, asking for a prison sentence and a fine against Marine Le Pen. Many in her party, including Jordan Bardella, are framing this as an attack on democracy. What’s your take on their perspective?
Dr. Dubois: The National Rally (RN) has consistently positioned itself as a victim of political persecution. Bardella’s comments highlight a key narrative that any legal action against Le Pen is not just about individual accountability but an effort to disenfranchise millions of voters. This rhetoric resonates particularly well with their base, who often see the judicial system as being politicized against them.
Editor: Do you think this accusation of politicization holds any merit?
Dr. Dubois: There’s certainly a historical precedent in France where judicial actions can be perceived as influenced by political motivations. Nevertheless, the judiciary also has a responsibility to uphold the law impartially. The legitimacy of the accusations against Le Pen hinges on solid evidence. If the judicial process appears fair and justified, it could undermine the RN’s narrative. Conversely, if the public perceives the process as biased, it may bolster the RN’s claims and rally support.
Editor: Le Pen and her party officials suggest that the requisition aims to eliminate her from political life permanently. How does this situation reflect broader trends in populism and political resilience in Europe?
Dr. Dubois: This situation is emblematic of wider populist movements across Europe, where leaders are often portrayed as under siege by “establishment” forces. In this context, persecution becomes a rallying point for their supporters. Such dynamics also create an ”us vs. them” mentality, galvanizing support among constituencies that feel unheard or marginalized. Le Pen’s ability to frame herself as a champion of the people against a corrupt system could reinforce her standing, especially as we approach the 2027 presidential elections.
Editor: Speaking of the upcoming elections, what might this legal battle mean for Le Pen’s electoral prospects?
Dr. Dubois: If the requisition leads to a conviction and results in ineligibility, it would undoubtedly impact her political career and the RN’s electoral strategy. However, if she can successfully portray herself as a martyr for democracy and navigate the legal challenges, it could ignite further support among her base, who may view her struggles as a direct threat to their rights to vote. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially given the strong sentiments around political legitimacy and voter choice in France.
Editor: Many critics, including the RN itself, argue that it is not for judges to decide who can run for office. Do you think there’s a risk that this trial brings about a further erosion of trust in democratic institutions?
Dr. Dubois: That is a genuine concern. When political disputes seep into the judicial domain, it can certainly erode trust in both the judiciary and electoral processes. The perception that the judiciary is a tool for political warfare creates skepticism about its impartiality. This situation underscores the need for robust safeguards to ensure that legal actions are clearly separated from political motives to preserve public trust.
Editor: Lastly, how might civil society and other political actors respond to this situation—could we expect protests or widespread mobilization?
Dr. Dubois: Absolutely. We’ve already seen some reaction from other parties and civil society groups decrying the potential undermining of democracy. There could be organized protests reflecting both support for Le Pen and opposition to what critics view as judicial overreach. Mobilization can take various forms— from social media campaigns to physical demonstrations. The judicial process surrounding Le Pen will likely serve as a flashpoint for broader debates about democracy, accountability, and the role of the state in electoral politics moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Claire, for your insights into this complex and evolving issue. It certainly promises to be a pivotal moment for both Marine Le Pen and the future of French democracy.
Dr. Dubois: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial for citizens to engage with these issues as they unfold.