French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron commented for the first time on the court’s decision banning National Rally leader Marine Le Pen from running in the 2027 elections. He stressed the independence of the judiciary and said that “the law is one for all,” Le Monde reports.
During the government meeting, Macron made three main points:
- Independence of the judiciary – judges make decisions without political pressure;
- Condemnation of threats against judges – the President stressed that such actions are “unacceptable”;
- The right to appeal – Le Pen can still appeal the verdict.
Court decision and its consequences
On Monday, a tribunal in Paris found Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds. The court sentenced her to four years in prison (two years suspended, two under electronic surveillance), fined her €100,000 and banned her from holding public office for five years.
This decision effectively deprives Le Pen of the opportunity to run in the 2027 presidential election unless it is overturned by the Court of Appeal. The final verdict is expected to be delivered by the summer of 2026.
Political resonance and threats to judges
Le Pen’s allies condemned the decision, calling it “political persecution”. National Rally leader Jordan Bardella said it was an “attack on democracy”.
Even some of Le Pen’s opponents have questioned the legitimacy of the decision that the court can ban a politician from running for office until the appeal process is completed.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Benedict de Pertouy, has received death threats and is under police protection. The French authorities have already launched an investigation into these threats.
Does this mean the end of Marine Le Pen’s political career? Can the right-wing camp mobilise a protest electorate? The situation is evolving, and the 2027 election campaign promises to be intense.
