Sun Apr 06 17:15:04 UTC 2025: ## Le Pen Defiant After Embezzlement Conviction, Calls Ruling a “Political Decision”

**PARIS** – Far-right French leader Marine Le Pen rallied thousands of supporters on Sunday, vehemently rejecting her conviction for embezzlement of European Parliament funds. A Paris court found Le Pen guilty and imposed a ban on holding public office, including preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election. However, Le Pen, addressing a crowd in Place Vauban, denounced the verdict as a “political decision” and vowed to continue her political career. She also echoed US President Donald Trump’s claims of a “witch-hunt” against her National Rally party.

Le Pen’s conviction has sparked a political firestorm. While her supporters claim the ruling is politically motivated, government officials have defended the judiciary’s independence. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal accused the far-right of attacking French institutions and denounced what he termed “unprecedented interference” in French affairs, seemingly referring to support for Le Pen from figures like Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Trump himself described the ban as a “witch-hunt” by “European leftists.”

Meanwhile, counter-demonstrations were held in Place de la République by leftist and centrist groups protesting against Le Pen and her party. Judges involved in the case have reportedly received threats.

Le Pen’s top lieutenant, Jordan Bardella, characterized the ruling as an attempt to eliminate Le Pen from the presidential race, while maintaining the party did not wish to discredit the judiciary as a whole. However, he asserted the conviction represented an attack on democracy.

Although the conviction could significantly impact Le Pen’s presidential aspirations, Al Jazeera reports that her legal team is hoping to appeal the ineligibility portion of the ruling, potentially allowing her to run in 2027. Recent polls suggest Le Pen could secure up to 36 percent of the vote in a presidential election. Despite the setback, Le Pen’s defiant stance and strong base of support suggest the political fallout from her conviction will be significant and prolonged.

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