Overview
- In a Sunday interview with Ouest-France, Marine Le Pen said she "does not give up" and is "extremely combative" about running in 2027.
- Le Pen was sentenced in first instance to five years of ineligibility with immediate effect in the EU assistants case, with her appeal set for January 13 to February 12, 2026.
- She said a Cour de cassation ruling issued too near the vote would prevent a proper campaign and would lead her to pass the baton to party president Jordan Bardella.
- Earlier this month she stated she would not run if the appeals court confirms the ineligibility and would announce that decision without waiting for cassation.
- Reporting notes that Le Pen and Bardella currently lead 2027 polls, while Bardella is boosting visibility on a nationwide book tour.