Far-Right Leaders Call Protests Against Le Pen's Election Ban

Far-right party chief Jordan Bardella has called for protests in France against a court ruling that bans Marine Le Pen from public office for five years after being convicted of embezzling EU funds. The ruling is seen as a significant setback for Le Pen, who was a leading candidate in the 2027 presidential election. Bardella urged the French people to be outraged and announced plans for peaceful mobilizations this weekend. Le Pen has vowed to appeal the ruling, which she claims is politically motivated, and stated she is not prepared to step aside for Bardella as the party's candidate. The court's decision included a four-year prison sentence, two years suspended, and a 100,000-euro fine, effective immediately pending her appeal. Le Pen and her supporters criticize the ruling as biased and a tactic to undermine her political ambitions.