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Le Pen comeback revives French far right’s biggest fear: Can she actually win?
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- A three-judge panel upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzlement but reduced her five-year ban on running for office and sentenced her to a year of house arrest, a decision she plans to appeal.
- Despite the legal setbacks, Le Pen announced she will run as her party's candidate in the next presidential election, with Jordan Bardella, her 30-year-old protégé, as her prospective prime minister.
- Le Pen, a veteran of three previous presidential campaigns, aims to lead the far-right National Rally party in a fourth bid for the presidency, though polls suggest she may struggle to win against centrist opponents.
- While her conviction may bolster support among her base who view her as persecuted, it risks alienating moderate conservative voters and has already drawn criticism from political opponents.
- The verdict is expected to prompt internal clarification within the National Rally, as policy differences between Le Pen and Bardella have caused tensions, and Le Pen seeks to reassert control over the party.
