Le Pen Launches Campaign Despite Embezzlement Conviction Appeal
LA FLECHE- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen returned to the campaign trail on Wednesday, one day after confirming she would seek the French presidency despite an embezzlement conviction, arguing that a court ruling had restored her eligibility to contest next year’s election.
Appearing in the western town of La Fleche alongside National Rally (RN) president Jordan Bardella, Le Pen sought to shift attention away from her legal troubles and toward her political platform as she began campaigning for what would be her fourth presidential bid.
Her appearance followed an appeals court ruling on Tuesday in a case involving fake European Parliament jobs. Although the court upheld her conviction, it did not prevent her from standing for public office, allowing her to continue her presidential campaign. Le Pen said she would challenge the ruling before France’s highest judicial authority, the Court of Cassation.
“The court has restored my eligibility. I am innocent, and I am filing an appeal to the Court of Cassation to prove my innocence,” Le Pen told supporters and reporters.
The 57-year-old dismissed criticism that her legal situation should prevent her from running, saying she intended to focus on policy rather than legal arguments during the campaign.
“I’m not going to spend the presidential campaign giving you legal analyses,” she said, adding that if political opponents relied solely on her legal case, they had “absolutely nothing to offer the French” on substantive issues.
Le Pen also acknowledged the political risks associated with pursuing another presidential bid while continuing her legal fight, saying, “You have to take risks to win.”
The National Rally leader is seeking the presidency at a time when her anti-immigration party believes it has its strongest opportunity yet to secure power. The party has steadily expanded its electoral support in recent years and won the municipality of La Fleche, where Le Pen made her first campaign appearance following her announcement.
The campaign stop attracted both supporters and opponents. While many greeted Le Pen warmly, several dozen left-wing demonstrators jeered her and displayed signs referring to her conviction.
Accompanying Le Pen was Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old president of the National Rally, who had been widely viewed as a potential presidential candidate if legal proceedings had prevented Le Pen from standing.
Bardella said he felt “neither relief nor disappointment” that he would not be leading the party’s presidential ticket. Instead, he expressed support for Le Pen’s candidacy and said they would continue working together throughout the campaign.
Le Pen has indicated that Bardella would become prime minister if she wins the presidency, underscoring the close political partnership the two have developed as the National Rally prepares for the election.
Her decision to press ahead with her candidacy despite ongoing legal proceedings ensures that questions surrounding both her judicial appeal and her political agenda are likely to remain central themes in the French presidential campaign in the months ahead.
