The verdict against Le Pen

Bardella: Hope Le Pen will be our presidential candidate

The party leader of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, wants the party's front figure Marine Le Pen to once again become a presidential candidate in 2027 despite her legal problems. He tells French BFMTV.

- I sincerely hope that she can represent us in the presidential election.

Many others within the party want Bardella, who is usually pointed out as Le Pen's "crown prince" in the party, to take over the helm, regardless of how the trial goes.

This spring, Le Pen was sentenced to prison and a five-year ban on running for public office, which means that she is barred from the 2027 election. She has appealed the verdict and in the new process, prosecutors are expected to present their closing arguments on Tuesday. Le Pen is expected to listen closely to whether prosecutors are demanding a ban on public office, which is not certain.

The verdict against Le Pen — that's the point

• Marine Le Pen was sentenced in March 2025 to four years in prison and a five-year ban on running for public office for fraud with EU funds.
• The verdict means that Le Pen cannot run in the 2027 presidential election, but she has appealed and a final decision is expected in the summer of 2026.
• Le Pen and several party colleagues in the National Rally were considered to have used EU funds intended for assistants to pay party employees in France.
• The verdict has sparked strong reactions in France, with demonstrations, divided political reactions and death threats against the judges.
• If Le Pen is prevented from running, party leader Jordan Bardella is pointed out as the likely presidential candidate for the National Rally.