Paris, Apr. 1, (dpa/GNA) – French far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen has condemned her court-imposed election ban as a politically motivated attack by her opponents.
“The establishment has dropped a nuclear bomb. If they’re resorting to such extreme measures, it’s because we are on the verge of winning,” Le Pen said in Paris on Tuesday, referring to the presidential election in 2027.
She accused her rivals of escalating their efforts after previous attempts to undermine her had failed. Le Pen was seen as a front-runner in the race to replace Emmanuel Macron, who cannot stand for a third term.
Le Pen, 56, was found guilty on Monday of embezzling EU funds and sentenced to a five-year ban from running for office. The ruling takes immediate effect.
Le Pen was also given a four-year prison sentence, but it will only begin once no further legal recourse remains. Two years are to be served wearing an electronic monitor, while the two further years were suspended.
Le Pen, who is one of France’s best-known politicians, said she would continue to fight: “This is about defending the French people, who have the right to choose their leaders, and about protecting a nation that is faltering.”
Calling the court’s decision “insane,” she vowed to challenge it.
Her political protégé, National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella, urged supporters to resist “peacefully and democratically” what he called a grave injustice. “Nothing will stop us from fighting to take power,” he declared, adding that the party would explore all legal options to overturn the ruling.
Meanwhile, French Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed doubt about the court’s decision to ban Le Pen from political office at once.
“It is true that there are questions,” Bayrou said in the French parliament. “According to our legal system, every serious decision in criminal cases must be subject to appeal.”
But even in the event that the ban is ultimately reversed, a quick outcome to the appeal process is considered unlikely.
Bayrou said this aspect of Le Pen’s case raised questions that he believed ought to be considered by parliament.
GNA
PDC