Overview

• Marine Le Pen was convicted on March 31, 2025, of misappropriating €4.1 million in EU funds, receiving a four-year prison sentence, a €100,000 fine, and a five-year ineligibility from holding office.
• Le Pen has appealed the ruling, positioning herself as a victim of judicial overreach and continuing to campaign as the leader of the Rassemblement National (RN).
• Internal tensions within the RN have surfaced as the party grapples with the implications of her conviction and the need to maintain unity ahead of future elections.
• Le Pen is leveraging public appearances, including addressing local issues like those in Mayotte, to connect with voters and reinforce her leadership despite her legal challenges.
• The RN is framing the conviction as a 'judicial coup d’état' to galvanize its base, portraying Le Pen as the indispensable figure for far-right politics in France.