The far-right leader’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential race ignites political unrest across France, deepening national divides and testing the resilience of democratic institutions.
France is gripped by political unrest following the conviction of far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen on charges of embezzlement, a ruling that bars her from standing in the 2027 presidential elections. The court’s decision, handed down last week, has set off a wave of mass protests across major cities, pitting supporters of the Rassemblement National (RN) against anti-extremist demonstrators.
Le Pen, who has been a defining presence in French politics for over two decades, was found guilty of misusing European Union funds during her time as a Member of the European Parliament. The verdict, which includes a suspended prison sentence and a 10-year ban from holding public office, has sent shockwaves through the French political establishment.
Thousands of supporters have taken to the streets in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and smaller towns, waving tricolor flags and chanting slogans denouncing what they call a “judicial coup.” Many view the conviction as a politically motivated attack designed to neutralize Le Pen before the next presidential contest, in which she was widely expected to be a major contender.
“She is the only one who speaks for the people,” said Julien Morel, a protester in Lille. “They couldn’t beat her at the ballot box, so they silenced her in court.”
At the same time, counter-protests have emerged, with citizens warning against the normalization of far-right rhetoric and corruption. “This is not an attack on democracy—this is democracy working,” said activist Clara Dumas in Bordeaux. “No politician should be above the law.”
The French government has appealed for calm, with President Emmanuel Macron stating that the justice system must be respected, regardless of political affiliation. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin deployed extra police units to several cities after skirmishes broke out between rival protest groups over the weekend.
Politically, the RN faces a crisis of leadership. Party officials are rallying behind Jordan Bardella, Le Pen’s protégé, who has assumed interim leadership and vowed to carry the movement forward. “Marine is not gone. She is a symbol—and symbols do not die,” Bardella said in a fiery address to supporters.
Analysts suggest Le Pen’s conviction could either demoralize her base or galvanize it further, particularly if framed as an injustice. Meanwhile, the ruling has prompted broader debate in France about the role of the judiciary in political life and the ongoing struggle to combat extremism without eroding democratic freedoms.
With tensions running high and the 2027 election campaign already looming, France finds itself at a critical juncture—caught between the rule of law and the raw force of populist defiance.
(Associated Medias) – all rights reserved