Marine Le Pen Denounces Embezzlement Verdict as a “Witch Hunt” During Paris Rally

Paris, France: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen launched a fiery rebuttal on Sunday against her recent conviction for embezzlement, calling the ruling a “witch hunt” and vowing to continue her political battle. Speaking to thousands of supporters gathered at Place Vauban, near the Hôtel des Invalides and not far from the National Assembly, Le Pen painted the legal decision as a politically motivated attack designed to remove her from the democratic process.

“I will not give up,” she declared to a sea of French flags and cheering supporters. “For 30 years I have fought against injustice and I will continue to fight. They will not steal the presidency from me.”

Le Pen’s suspended prison sentence and five-year ban from holding political office sparked outrage among her followers and triggered Sunday’s rally, which was organized by her party, the National Rally (RN). Protesters chanted slogans like “Marine for President” and “They won’t steal 2027 from us,” making clear their belief that the judiciary’s decision was an attempt to block her path to the French presidency.

Calling the court’s ruling a “fabricated concept”, Le Pen said the notion of her disturbing public democratic order was an invention designed to disqualify her. “This decision has trampled on what I hold dear: my people, my country, and my honour,” she told the crowd.

Political Divides on Display

While Le Pen’s supporters rallied at Place Vauban, left-wing groups gathered at Place de la République to voice their concerns about the rise of what they described as a “Trump-style populism” within France. At the same time, President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party held a separate demonstration in Saint-Denis, warning of a growing threat to the rule of law.

Bardella Rallies Supporters

Jordan Bardella, the young president of the National Rally and Le Pen’s likely successor for the 2027 presidential race, echoed her defiance. Speaking ahead of Le Pen, Bardella called the court’s decision “scandalous” and a “direct attack on democracy.”

“They tried to silence one voice, but instead they awakened the people of France,” Bardella declared. He accused the establishment of trying to “eliminate” Le Pen from the democratic landscape and energized the crowd with a passionate defense of her legacy and the party’s future.

The demonstration also faced disruption from Femen, a feminist activist group known for provocative protests, who briefly interrupted the rally demanding Le Pen be banned from politics for life. They were swiftly removed by RN security.

Public Support Remains Strong

Despite the conviction, recent opinion polls show that both Le Pen and Bardella remain frontrunners in the race for the 2027 presidential election. Surveys conducted in the days following the ruling placed Le Pen between 32% and 36%, while Bardella polled between 31% and 35.5%, indicating continued strong support for the far-right among French voters.

The legal verdict has also sent ripples through European far-right movements, many of which have gained traction in recent years. Le Pen’s supporters argue the ruling could further fuel populist sentiment, turning legal setbacks into rallying cries for electoral momentum.

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