Supporters of far-right French politician Marine Le Pen gathered in Paris to protest against her embezzlement conviction and ban from running in elections. Le Pen stood before a crowd of French flags, vowing to continue fighting against injustice. She expressed gratitude for the support of her people and pledged to not give up on her presidential ambitions. The National Rally, Le Pen’s party, organized the event in response to what they believe is a politically motivated verdict aimed at eliminating her from democratic life.
The protest, held near the National Assembly, attracted chants of “Marine Présidente!” and messages of defiance against France’s institutions. Le Pen criticized the court ruling as a political decision that disregarded the rule of law and democracy. The rival left-wing demonstration in Place de la République condemned what organizers viewed as a dangerous shift towards a Trumpist ideology by the National Rally. Another centrist party organized a demonstration warning of an existential threat to the rule of law in Saint-Denis.
The legal ruling against Le Pen has had reverberations beyond France, causing shockwaves in far-right circles across Europe and beyond. Despite the court’s decision, polls show that the RN remains strong in terms of voting intentions for the 2027 presidential election. Projection polls conducted shortly after Le Pen’s conviction indicate that both she and her protégé Jordan Bardella are significantly ahead in voting intentions for the upcoming election.
Bardella, the young president of the RN, denounced the judicial decision to eliminate Le Pen from the race as a direct attack on democracy and an insult to millions of patriots. He expressed confidence in the resilience of the French people and their ability to resist attempts to silence their voices. Bardella’s defiant speech at the demonstration emphasized the unity of the party’s supporters and their determination to overcome any obstacles in their path.
The majority of the demonstrators present at the event hailed from the Paris region and inner suburbs, with a notable exception being a group from Hénin-Beaumont, the National Rally’s stronghold in northern France. Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the crowd was disrupted by a protest by Femen, a feminist activist group calling for a lifetime ban on Marine Le Pen. Despite this disruption, the demonstration continued with enthusiasm and determination to show solidarity with Le Pen and the National Rally.
Overall, the protest in Paris demonstrated unwavering support for Marine Le Pen and defiance against the legal ruling barring her from running in elections. The event highlighted the deep divide within French politics and the determination of far-right supporters to challenge what they perceive as politically motivated obstacles to their leader’s presidential ambitions. The resounding message of unity and defiance echoed throughout the crowd, emphasizing the enduring strength of the National Rally and its supporters.
