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3w ago

Le Pen Protests Fall Short as Counter-Rallies Defend Rule of Law

Marine Le Pen's supporters gathered in Paris following her embezzlement conviction, but turnout lagged while rival demonstrations emphasized judicial independence.

People rally in support of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in Paris, France, on Sunday, after Le Pen's Monday embezzlement conviction resulted in her being barred from running in the country's 2027 presidential election.
Marine Le Pen addresses a rally held in her support in Paris
People attend a rally in support of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, after calls for a peaceful mobilisation following Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzlement of EU funds, resulting in her being barred from running for office for five years, in Paris, France, April 6, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
People attend a rally in support of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, after calls for a peaceful mobilisation following Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzlement of EU funds, resulting in her being barred from running for office for five years, in Paris, France, April 6, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Overview

  • Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling €4.5 million in European Parliament funds, resulting in a four-year sentence, a €100,000 fine, and a five-year ban from public office.
  • Her National Rally party organized a protest in Paris on April 6, but attendance estimates ranged from 5,000 to 10,000, falling short of expectations.
  • Left-wing and centrist groups held counter-rallies in Paris, drawing thousands to support judicial independence and denounce far-right narratives.
  • Le Pen, who has appealed the ruling, compared her situation to Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights struggle, framing her case as a political attack.
  • The Paris Court of Appeal is set to rule on Le Pen's appeal by mid-2026, which could determine her eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.