The conviction of far-right French politician Marine Le Pen on charges of embezzling public funds and her five-year ban from holding public service has gone beyond a purely legal matter and has sparked intense political debate. The protests in Paris, which Le Pen addressed with the words “I’ve been fighting injustice for thirty years, and I will continue to fight” turned into de facto campaign rallies from a simple objection.[1] Under the leadership of the National Rally (Rassemblement National), this reaction has undermined trust in the impartiality of the judiciary and employed a populist strategy targeting judicial institutions directly.
The fact that Marine Le Pen’s sentence was presented by her party as a “democratic deviation” and “political interference” is aimed at constructing a discourse that questions the legitimacy of judicial decisions. National Rally president Jordan Bardella’s statement “March 29 was a black day for France” reflects a core belief that the people’s will should only be expressed through elections. Protest slogans like “Justice takes orders” and “Judges are politicians” not only deepen institutional mistrust but also construct a narrative of political victimhood.[2] This situation bears strong resemblance to those employed by Donald Trump in American politics. The words of Le Pen supporter Claude Morel: “Judges may wear robes, but they are just politicians in disguise” clearly demonstrate this similarity.
All these developments point to a period in which the balance between the rule of law and popular sovereignty is being questioned in France. In the run-up to the 2027 elections, this crisis creates a breaking point that could affect both the nature of political competition and the public legitimacy of the judiciary.
The misuse of European Parliament funds for personal and party expenses, which forms the basis of the judgment, was assessed by the court as a “democratic deviation” and it was concluded that public resources had been exploited for political interests. Despite this, the National Rally’s portrayal of the decision as “political interference” creates an artificial contradiction between the independence of the judiciary and the will of the people. The statements by Le Pen and Bardella go beyond personal defense, aiming instead to erode public trust in the judiciary and the principle of the rule of law.
Bardella’s rhetoric not only reinforces but also institutionalizes the radical-right image that Le Pen has tried to soften over the years. With his youth and sharp discourses, Bardella is emerging as a dominant figure within the party and embracing a form of authoritarian populism, marked by systematic attacks on institutions like the judiciary and the media. His declaration of “We will shake the system, but through democratic means” encapsulates both an anti-establishment stance and a claim to represent the people’s will.[3]
At a time when Marine Le Pen is facing legal obstacles, Bardella’s prominence appears not only to be more than a short-term strategy but also it signals a broader and, long-term leadership transformation. Bardella’s words “We will still be here tomorrow. We will be stronger.” emphasize the continuity of the movement in the party and reveal how judicial decisions are being woven into a larger political campaign narrative.
In the wake of Le Pen’s conviction, it was not only the right but also the left took to the streets. Left-wing parties organized counter-protests, laying bare the depth of political polarization in France.Green Party leader Marine Tondelier stated, “This is not just about Marine Le Pen, it is about defending the rule of law,” signaling the left’s framing of the issue as a broader institutional threat rather than an isolated legal matter.[4]
Counter-protesters carried banners reading “No to Trumpism in France” and “Antifascist resistance,” indicating a perception that Le Pen and Bardella’s tactics mirror American-style populist strategies.[5] Thus, the issue has transcended legal boundaries, becoming a struggle to preserve France’s democratic identity.
The meeting organized by the National Rally was not merely a show of support; it was also a strong political message ahead of the 2027 elections. The slogans “Marine Présidente!” and “You can not steal 2027 from us” clearly depict judicial decisions as a threat to the people’s will. Le Pen’s claim as “I’ve been fighting injustice for thirty years and I will keep fighting” further strengthens this narrative of personal victimhood.[6]
This strategy aims to regain the trust of the electorate by questioning the legitimacy of the judiciary; with the discourse “Judges are politicians in robes”, a democracy where only the ballot box is decisive instead of the rule of law is proposed.[7] This approach is similar to a method often used in post-Trump US politics: delegitimizing the system and defining the people as the “only legitimate power”.
As France approaches the 2027 elections, it may face a precarious and dangerous balance between the rule of law and popular sovereignty. Should populist rhetoric gain traction during the campaign, not just a single candidate but the country’s democratic institutions may undergo a serious test.
In conclusion, the protests and political developments following Marine Le Pen’s conviction have deepened the tension between the rule of law and popular sovereignty in France. The National Rally’s populist discourse has transformed judicial decisions into a broader strategy centered on the will of the people, challenging the independence of the judiciary and posing a significant challenge to France’s democratic institutions. As 2027 election upcoming, this crisis is likely to become a turning point for the future of French politics and society. Protecting democratic values and the rule of law is not only the responsibility of political parties but also of citizens and institutions alike.
[1] France protests latest: Marine Le Pen says ‘existence of France is at stake’ as she cites Martin Luther King in speech, Sky News, https://news.sky.com/story/france-protests-far-right-rally-in-support-of-marine-le-pen-in-paris-after-election-ban-13341183, (Date Accessed: 06.04.2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Caitlin Danaher, Le Pen vows to fight conviction in front of supporters but large-scale protests fail to materialize, CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/06/europe/protesters-paris-support-marine-le-pen-intl/index.html, (Date Accessed: 06.04.2025).
[4] Angelique Chrisafis, ‘More will come to us now’: what does Le Pen verdict mean for far-right’s future?, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/05/more-will-come-to-us-now-marine-le-pen-verdict-may-not-damage-far-rights-future-france, (Date Accessed: 06.04.2025).
[5] Thomas Adamson, Le Pen supporters rally in Paris, turning a protest into a populist show of force, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/france-le-pen-demonstration-embezzlement-20517c4a97e35c9fa0a658960365bed9, (Date Accessed: 06.04.2025).
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
