French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly defended the French judiciary following the conviction of Marine Le Pen on embezzlement charges, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and the rule of law. The verdict, delivered on Monday, sentenced the National Rally leader to four years in prison—two suspended and two under house arrest—while also imposing an immediate five-year ban from public office.
Macron addressed the ruling during a ministerial meeting, stressing that the judiciary is independent and that all legal proceedings must be respected.
Although Le Pen’s guilt remains undisputed, suspicions of political interference have arisen due to her immediate political ineligibility. Some say the ban should take effect after the appeals process, while others say the court was right to impose it. The ruling has thrown the party into uncertainty and intensified political tensions.
Le Pen and 24 others were convicted of diverting European Parliament funds meant for parliamentary assistants to pay National Rally staff in France. Denying wrongdoing, Le Pen decried the ruling as a politically motivated attack, calling it a “nuclear bomb” aimed at eliminating her from the 2027 race. Her appeal is set to be heard before the Paris Court of Appeals by summer 2026, offering a potential window for legal reversal before the election.
The verdict also led to an outpouring of criticism from Le Pen’s allies, who accused the judiciary of bias. Party president Jordan Bardella called the ruling “disproportionate” and “partisan,” and announced a nationwide protest movement against what he described as a deliberate effort to silence millions of voters. The National Rally is now organizing rallies, aiming to mobilize its base in support of Le Pen.
Macron’s government, however, has dismissed claims of judicial bias. Senior officials, including Prime Minister François Bayrou, reaffirmed that the legal process was independent and that justice was applied equally to all. The case has also drawn attention to the security of judges, with prosecutors launching investigations into threats against the magistrates.
With the appeals process moving forward, Macron’s firm stance underscores his commitment to upholding France’s democratic institutions. Whether Le Pen can overturn her conviction in time for 2027 remains uncertain, but the case has already ignited one of the most contentious debates in recent French political history.
