French Hard-Right Leader Jordan Bardella Claims Authorities Are Trying to Prevent National Rally From Gaining Power After Marine Le Pen’s Conviction in Paris

The political storm around Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s hard-right National Rally (RN), has intensified after a French court convicted her of misusing public funds.

On Monday, Le Pen was handed a five-year ban from running for office and a four-year prison sentence, though half of it was suspended, and the remainder will be served with an electronic tag.

This ruling relates to accusations that Le Pen created fake jobs at the European Parliament to employ assistants who were, in fact, working for her party in France.

The Fight Against Political Exclusion

Following the ruling, Jordan Bardella, Le Pen’s protege and a prominent figure in the National Rally, expressed outrage, claiming that the authorities were deliberately trying to block the RN from ever reaching power.

“Everything will be done to prevent us from coming to power,” he declared in an interview.

Bardella went further, arguing that the court’s decision was not just an injustice against Le Pen but a blow to French democracy itself.

He also criticized what he described as the “tyranny of the judges,” while also condemning the personal attacks against the judges, which included death threats.

International Reactions to Le Pen’s Conviction

The conviction has sparked a wave of solidarity from right-wing figures both in the United States and across Europe.

Former US President Donald Trump commented on the case, drawing parallels between Le Pen’s legal troubles and his own ongoing legal battles in the US.

He suggested that the conviction was part of a broader political strategy aimed at undermining popular candidates, likening it to his own experiences.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concerns over the ruling, stating that no matter the merits of the case, a sentence that targets a leader of a major party undermines democracy and deprives millions of citizens of their right to representation.

Similarly, Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, described the ruling as a “declaration of war by Brussels” and condemned the decision to exclude Le Pen from the political process.

Salvini’s comments reflect his ongoing tension with the European Union and its leadership, particularly with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

More Support from European Leaders

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also weighed in, posting “Je suis Marine” in French as a show of solidarity, echoing the support seen in the past for the victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack.

This phrase, which became a symbol of unity following the 2015 attacks, was used by Orban to convey his backing for Le Pen.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin joined the chorus of criticism, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commenting on the erosion of democratic norms across Europe.

He remarked that many European capitals, including Paris, seemed to be stepping away from democratic processes, a sentiment that aligns with Russia’s long-standing critique of Western political systems.

French Prosecutor Defends the Ruling

Despite the wave of criticism from abroad, the French legal system remains steadfast in defending the conviction.

Remy Heitz, one of France’s top public prosecutors, responded to the criticism by stating that the court’s decision was strictly legal and not politically motivated.

He emphasized that the ruling was made by three independent, impartial judges and that justice was being served without any external political influence.

As the controversy continues, Le Pen remains determined to fight the ban, vowing to clear her name and continue her political career, particularly with the 2027 presidential election in her sights.