Just hours after the Paris Court of Appeal announced its ruling, Marine Le Pen spoke candidly about her political future in the National Assembly. In a live television interview, she addressed the presidential election, the ongoing legal proceedings, and her collaboration with party leader Jordan Bardella.
The Paris Court of Appeal ruled on Tuesday Marine Le Pen to three years in prison, including one year under electronic monitoring, in the case concerning the alleged misuse of public funds for party assistants in the European Parliament. At the same time, the restriction on her eligibility to run for office was eased compared to the previous ruling, paving the way for her to run in the 2027 presidential election. Just a few hours later, Le Pen appeared in TF1:'s main news broadcast to make his announcement.
”Tonight, I’m a candidate”
Le Pen left no doubt about her decision. She announced that she will run in the presidential election and that she will appeal the ruling to the Court of Cassation.
- Tonight, I am a candidate in the presidential election, she said, The appeal to the Court of Cassation suspends the sentences handed down by the court; therefore, I am a candidate in tonight’s presidential election, and I will not change my mind.
I'm thinking of launching a campaign right away
Le Pen said that the appeal means she will be able to conduct her election campaign without an electronic ankle monitor. Therefore, she no longer sees any obstacle to running for office.
- I will therefore campaign without an electronic ankle monitor, she said, There is no longer any scenario in which I cannot participate.
Bardella is named prime minister
Le Pen announced that the presidential campaign would begin immediately, together with Jordan Bardella, the party leader of National Unity. She also confirmed that he is her candidate for prime minister if National Unity wins the election.
– Jordan Bardella and I will be launching this presidential campaign very soon.
She described their partnership as a strong political duo.
– We’re offering the French a duo … I think it’s complementary, balanced, coherent, and solid, she said, I think this duo is a winning team.
”The French will have the final say”
Le Pen reiterated that she considers herself innocent and said she will use all legal means available to defend herself. She also welcomed the fact that voters will now be able to decide the outcome of the presidential election for themselves.
- I have been pleased that the French people have regained their right to vote and that the court has restored my eligibility to run for office, ," she said, concluding with the words:
– The French will have the final say.
The political establishment in France is starting to back down; they realized they had probably gone too far in their persecution of Le Pen. Both François Bayrou and Luc Mélenchon have been accused of the same things but got off scot-free. People began to react when only Le Pen was convicted and not the others. Just as in Sweden, the judiciary is strongly left-leaning.