The far-right Rassemblement National, led by Marine Le Pen, is mobilizing supporters in Paris to protest a recent court ruling against her, which they claim is politically motivated. The ruling, stemming from a decade-long investigation into embezzlement of public funds, poses a significant threat to Le Pen’s presidential ambitions. Despite her claims of a ‘democratic scandal,’ public sentiment largely views the ruling as justified. Analysts warn that her defiance may ultimately backfire on the party’s efforts to normalize its image.
Attack, Deny, Distribute – this encapsulates the strategy employed by the far-right Rassemblement National following the recent ruling against leader Marine Le Pen. The objective: to obscure the underlying scandal.
The recent ruling against Marine Le Pen has sparked intense debates across France. Over the weekend, Rassemblement National (RN) plans to mobilize supporters from all corners of the nation in Paris – framing it as a protest against the verdict and a stand ‘for democracy.’
The RN’s communication tactics suggest that the judges operated with political bias, conveniently pushing the primary issue of the trial into obscurity: the long-term and deliberate embezzlement of public funds, which the initial judges have deemed substantiated. When Marine Le Pen labels the ruling a ‘democratic scandal,’ it seemingly serves to redirect the conversation away from the scandal’s origins.
Ten Years of Investigations into Allegations
For a decade, various investigative bodies scrutinized the allegations before the trial commenced.
Patrick Maisonneuve, one of the legal representatives for the European Parliament, noted six months ago at the trial’s outset: ‘There are documents, conversations, and emails that substantiate an extensive and organized system for misappropriating public funds. This is how the French judges characterized it.’
RN party member Tanguy has accused the judicial system of waging a ‘blood feud’ against them.
Email Evidence of Complicity
Le Pen allegedly led this system with ‘authority and determination,’ according to the judges’ findings. In 2014, she purportedly instructed newly elected EU parliamentarians to employ only one assistant each, directing them to transfer the remaining funds allocated by the EU Parliament for these roles back to the party. Le Pen refutes these claims, but evidence exists, including an email from a member to the then-treasurer of the RN, Wallerand de Saint-Just, which was published by Médiapart and featured in a documentary by France 2.
Shortly after, the treasurer responded:
The systematic nature, duration, and magnitude of the embezzlements have led judges to deem this case particularly severe, harming the fabric of democracy itself. All of these factors contribute to the harsh penalties imposed, even on Marine Le Pen. This ruling poses a significant obstacle to her presidential aspirations for 2027, which is likely why she alleges a political agenda behind it.
Le Pen vs. ‘the System’
‘The system has unleashed an atomic bomb,’ Le Pen declared during a RN faction meeting on Tuesday. ‘If it employs such a potent weapon against us, it is because we are on the brink of electoral victory. We will not accept this,’ she asserted with determination.
In contrast, her stance was markedly different during the 2013 Cahuzac affair. Then, Jérôme Cahuzac, a minister from the Parti Socialiste, resigned amid tax fraud allegations and was subsequently convicted.
Appearing on Public Sénat at that time, Marine Le Pen advocated for a lifetime ban on passive voting rights for anyone convicted of crimes related to their mandate. If she seeks ethics and integrity in politics, she must also hold herself to that standard, she emphasized in the same interview.
Due to a court ruling, Marine Le Pen is currently barred from running in elections.
‘RN Has Created Its Own Trap’
This reaction starkly contrasts her response to the ruling, which polls indicate a majority of the French public perceives as fundamentally correct. Political scientist Luc Rouban from Sciences Po University warns that this could politically backfire on Le Pen and the Rassemblement National in the long run.
‘They aimed to normalize their image and diminish their past stigma. However, those who wish to be seen as normal must adhere to established norms and respect political and legal frameworks,’ Rouban explained. This is precisely what the court reminded Le Pen of in its decision. ‘But the party denied the facts, leading the court to perceive a risk of recurrence. While this may seem nuanced, the RN has ensnared itself: if it aims to be a conventional party, it must honor the institutions.’
Conversely, Marine Le Pen directly challenges these institutions. Despite this, the Paris Court of Appeal has indicated it intends to expedite the proceedings, aiming to conclude by summer 2026—significantly faster than many other cases and well ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ruling against Le Pen has taken many by surprise, and the reactions remain mixed.
This topic was reported by Deutschlandfunk on April 2, 2025, at 06:09 AM.