French President Emmanuel Macron has responded decisively to protect judicial independence after Marine Le Pen’s controversial fraud conviction sparked threats against the judge who imposed the sentence that could block her from the 2027 presidential race.
Quick Takes
- Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis, who sentenced Marine Le Pen to prison for misappropriating EU funds, now has police protection due to death threats.
- Le Pen received a five-year ban from elections, a €100,000 fine, and a prison sentence, potentially disqualifying her from the 2027 presidential race.
- President Macron firmly stated that “the law is the same for everyone” and condemned threats against judges as “absolutely unbearable.”
- Le Pen’s allies, including Donald Trump, have criticized the ruling as politically motivated.
- The conviction could be overturned if an appeals court rules in Le Pen’s favor before summer 2026.
Judges Face Threats After Le Pen Conviction
The French judicial system has come under attack following the conviction of far-right leader Marine Le Pen for embezzlement of European Parliament funds. Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis, who handed down the sentence, has received what French media described as “a large number of messages containing clearly expressed personal threats.” The situation has become so serious that police patrols have been stationed outside the judge’s home to ensure her safety, highlighting the volatile political climate in France.
Le Pen’s sentence includes a five-year ban from holding public office, a €100,000 fine, and a four-year prison term with two years suspended and two years under house arrest. This verdict effectively bars her from running in the 2027 presidential election unless successfully appealed. The ruling has inflamed tensions among her supporters, who view it as a politically motivated attempt to sideline a popular opposition figure rather than a legitimate application of the law.
Macron Defends Judicial Independence
President Emmanuel Macron has taken a strong stance defending the judiciary following the backlash. Through his spokesperson Sophie Primas, Macron emphasized three key points about the situation: “that the judiciary is independent; that the threats made against judges are absolutely unbearable and intolerable; and that the law is the same for everyone.” These statements reflect Macron’s commitment to maintaining the separation of powers in the French Republic, even when controversial decisions impact his political rivals.
While not directly commenting on the specifics of Le Pen’s case, Macron has made it clear that all defendants have the right to legal recourse. This acknowledgment reflects the reality that Le Pen’s disqualification from the 2027 election could potentially be overturned if an appeals court rules in her favor before summer 2026, providing her with a possible path back to presidential eligibility despite the current conviction.
International Reactions and Political Fallout
The conviction has drawn international attention, with several prominent figures weighing in on the matter. United States President Donald Trump called the ruling “a very big deal,” suggesting that the decision was politically motivated. Le Pen herself has accused Judge de Perthuis of making a “political decision” rather than a judicial one. These accusations have further inflamed the debate about judicial independence and the role of courts in determining political eligibility.
The case has sparked broader debate within France about whether courts should enforce ineligibility bans immediately or wait for the appeals process to conclude. This legal question has significant implications for French democracy, as it determines whether judicial decisions can immediately impact electoral eligibility or whether defendants retain their political rights until all appeals are exhausted. For Le Pen and her National Rally party, the timing of the appeals process will be crucial for their 2027 presidential campaign strategy.
Sources:
- Le Pen judge placed under police protection after receiving ‘personal threats’
- Macron weighs in on Le Pen verdict for first time: ‘The law is the same for everyone’
- ‘The law is the same for everyone’: Macron addresses Le Pen verdict for first time and criticises threats against judges – as it happened
