“Thousands Protest Le Pen’s Conviction in Massive Paris Demonstration”

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, thousands of supporters of Marine Le Pen gathered in Paris in a demonstration organized by the National Rally, the right-wing party she leads. The event, held at Place Vauban near the historic Les Invalides, followed a recent court ruling that convicted Le Pen of misusing public funds and barred her from seeking public office for five years.

Le Pen addressed the crowd, reaffirming her long-standing commitment to challenging what she described as institutional injustice. “For 30 years I have fought against injustice,” she stated. “And I will continue to fight.”

Although framed as a protest, the gathering took on the tone of a political rally, with chants of “Marine Présidente!” and signs reading “They won’t steal 2027 from us,” signaling continued support for Le Pen despite her conviction. Attendees expressed frustration with what they view as a politically motivated judicial process.

The court found that Le Pen had used European Parliament funds to pay party staff working in France—an act deemed a misuse of public resources. She was sentenced to four years in prison, with two served under house arrest, and immediately disqualified from holding public office. Her appeal is set for 2026.

Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old president of National Rally and Le Pen’s political protégé, delivered a strong critique of the judicial system. He claimed the conviction represents an attempt to silence opposition voices and undermine democratic choice. “March 29 was a dark day for France,” Bardella said. “The people must be free to choose their leaders — without interference from political judges.”

Participants echoed this sentiment, with signs bearing slogans like “Justice taking orders” and “Stop the judicial dictatorship.” Some attendees drew parallels between Le Pen and other political figures who have faced legal challenges, including former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Critics of the National Rally, however, view the court’s decision as a legitimate exercise of legal accountability. Legal scholars and political observers have noted the unusually expedited timeline for Le Pen’s appeal, which is expected to be heard in mid-2026, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a separate demonstration across the city, left-wing parties held a counter-rally warning against what they see as an erosion of democratic norms and a growing alignment between France’s far right and American-style populism. “This is bigger than Marine Le Pen,” said Marine Tondelier, leader of the Green Party. “It’s about defending the rule of law from people who think justice is optional.” Signs at the rally read “No Trumpism in France” and “Anti-fascist response.”

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and other centrist leaders also weighed in, calling the moment a critical test for the French Republic.

Though law enforcement was deployed in significant numbers, only minor disturbances were reported across both events.

Analysts suggest the National Rally’s current strategy is not solely focused on contesting Le Pen’s legal fate. Rather, the party appears to be pursuing a broader narrative that casts France’s judiciary as politicized and untrustworthy—an effort to mobilize public opinion ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

While Le Pen’s personal political future remains uncertain, party leadership has signaled its intention to remain active and competitive. Bardella concluded the event with a message of resilience: “We will be here tomorrow—and we will be stronger.”

As France moves toward its next presidential election, the growing tension between institutional authority and populist messaging is likely to play a decisive role in shaping public discourse and voter sentiment.

Article originally posted here: https://apnews.com/article/france-le-pen-demonstration-embezzlement-20517c4a97e35c9fa0a658960365bed9