France’s far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, strongly opposed the court ruling that barred her from running for president for five years. She called the decision "political" and vowed to fight it. Despite the setback, she remains hopeful about contesting the 2027 election.

Court Ruling and Its Impact

The court found Le Pen guilty of misusing EU Parliament funds to pay party workers in France. As a result, she received a four-year prison sentence. However, two years were suspended, and she will serve the remaining term under electronic surveillance instead of going to jail.

Furthermore, the ban on her candidacy took effect immediately. If upheld, it will prevent her from launching a fourth presidential campaign. Experts believe this ruling significantly weakens her party’s chances of winning. Consequently, the decision drew sharp criticism from Elon Musk, Viktor Orbán, and Geert Wilders. Additionally, the Kremlin condemned the ruling, accusing European governments of "violating democratic norms."

Le Pen Promises Legal Fight

Despite the ruling, Le Pen refuses to give up. She quickly announced that she would appeal the decision. Speaking to TF1, she declared, “I’m not going to let myself be eliminated like this. I’m going to pursue whatever legal avenues I can.”

Moreover, she criticized the ruling as unfair and politically motivated. "This is something we expect from authoritarian regimes," she stated. She further claimed that the judge had a political agenda, saying, "I do not want Marine Le Pen elected."

Public and Political Reactions

Unsurprisingly, the ruling sparked outrage among Le Pen’s supporters. In Henin-Beaumont, a far-right stronghold, 78-year-old Jacqueline Bossuyt reacted angrily, stating, “It’s disgraceful! They’ve destroyed her.”

Meanwhile, international figures also weighed in. Elon Musk compared the ruling to legal cases against Donald Trump, warning that such actions often “backfire.” Likewise, Trump himself commented, “She was banned from running for five years and she was the leading candidate. That sounds like this country.”

Back in France, politicians across the spectrum responded with caution. Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Republicans, argued that “Political debates should be decided at the ballot box.” At the same time, Prime Minister François Bayrou reportedly felt "troubled" by the ruling but refrained from making an official statement.

Le Pen’s Backup Plan: Jordan Bardella

If she is ultimately barred from running, Jordan Bardella is expected to take her place. The 29-year-old currently leads the National Rally (RN) party. However, many within the party doubt whether he has enough experience to win a presidential election.

Over the years, Le Pen has worked hard to change the image of the far-right party. Since taking over from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011, she has attempted to distance the party from his controversial legacy. Notably, her father, who passed away in January, was frequently accused of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks.

The Case Against Le Pen

The case revolves around allegations of financial misconduct. Prosecutors argue that Le Pen’s party misused a €21,000 ($23,000) monthly EU Parliament allowance. According to the court, RN falsely classified party workers as EU parliamentary assistants, even though they actually worked in France.

In his ruling, the judge emphasized, “It was established that all these people were actually working for the party, that their MEP had not assigned them any tasks.”

What Happens Next?

For now, Le Pen remains determined to challenge the verdict. She hopes that her appeal will overturn the ruling. However, whether she succeeds or not, this decision has already shaken French politics and could significantly impact the 2027 presidential race.