Protests Erupt in Paris Over Marine Le Pen's Election Ban

Le Pen's supporters and opponents rally as her appeal against a five-year election ban and embezzlement conviction begins.

Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling €4.6 million in EU funds, sentenced to four years in prison with two years under electronic monitoring, and barred from running for office for five years.
Her party, Rassemblement National (RN), has organized a major protest in Paris today, expecting up to 10,000 participants, with speeches from Le Pen and other party leaders.
Counter-protests by left-wing groups are planned in separate locations, raising concerns about potential unrest despite heightened police presence.
Le Pen has appealed the ruling and plans to challenge it in both French and European courts, with a decision expected by summer 2026.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou criticized international figures like Donald Trump for supporting Le Pen, calling it interference in France's judicial and political processes.