French Prime Minister François Bayrou called for rival protests on Sunday to proceed with "calm, mutual respect, and a sense of responsibility" to avoid clashes, as political tensions escalated following the embezzlement conviction of far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Last Monday, a Paris court found Le Pen guilty of orchestrating a fake jobs scheme that embezzled European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016. The ruling, following a decade-long investigation and a nine-week trial, imposed a partially suspended jail term and an immediate ban on holding public office—a decision that could bar her from the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen, who denies wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict, vowed not to let the presidency be "stolen." Her National Rally (RN) party urged supporters to mobilize in Paris, framing the protest as a defense of democracy. "People of France, let us mobilize to defend freedom, save democracy, and support Marine!" the party declared on social media.
A Divided Political Landscape
The ruling has deepened France’s political divisions. While some of Le Pen’s opponents acknowledged the gravity of the verdict, others argued she should still be allowed to run in 2027. Polls suggest Le Pen, 56, remains a formidable contender, with a recent Elabe survey showing her leading the first round with up to 36% of the vote.
Meanwhile, left-wing demonstrators gathered at Place de la République, condemning what they called the RN’s "Trumpist turn." Centrist parties, including Prime Minister Bayrou’s Renaissance, held a separate event in Saint-Denis, warning of an "existential threat to the rule of law."
Le Pen compared her legal troubles to the persecution of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, drawing sharp criticism. Left-leaning newspaper Libération dismissed the analogy as "indecent to the end." Analysts say her rhetoric reflects a strategic shift. "She is forced to adopt an anti-establishment stance," said Jean-Yves Dormagen of polling firm Cluster17. "Victimization resonates with her voters."
Judicial and Political Fallout
The case has also drawn international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump called the verdict a "witch hunt" by "European leftists," prompting Bayrou to denounce the remarks as "interference." The prime minister defended France’s judiciary as independent and cautioned against protests targeting the court’s decision.
With the RN as the largest single party in parliament, the ruling complicates governance for Bayrou, who lacks a majority. The Paris Court of Appeal is expected to review Le Pen’s case in time for a potential 2027 run—if her conviction is overturned or sentence reduced.
For now, the protests underscore a nation deeply divided over its political future. As Ouest-France noted, the competing rallies have become less about policy than a "battle of images"—one that may define France’s next election long before campaigning begins.