Marine Le Pen Appeals Conviction as Rival Rallies Highlight Divisions in France

The far-right leader, banned from public office for five years, denounces her embezzlement conviction as politically motivated while counter-demonstrations defend judicial independence.

Marine Le Pen, convicted of embezzling €4 million in EU funds, has appealed her sentence, which includes a five-year ban from public office, with a decision expected by summer 2026.
Her National Rally party organized a rally in Paris, drawing an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 attendees, while left-wing and centrist groups held counter-demonstrations emphasizing the rule of law.
Le Pen compared her struggle to Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights movement, framing her legal challenges as a peaceful fight against what she calls judicial persecution.
French President Emmanuel Macron and other political leaders defended the judiciary's independence, rejecting claims of political interference in the court's decision.
Polls suggest Le Pen remains a frontrunner for the 2027 presidential election, with support ranging from 32% to 36%, despite her legal challenges and ongoing appeal.