France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen stood defiantly before thousands of supporters rallying in Paris on April 6, asserting her commitment to continue fighting after her recent conviction for embezzlement. The ruling has barred her from public office for five years and stunned the political establishment. "I will not back down," she declared, referring to herself and her party, the National Rally (RN), as the victims of a politically motivated “witch hunt” aimed at diminishing their chances in the upcoming presidential election.

The rally, held at Place Vauban near the golden dome of Les Invalides, was framed as a protest, but observers noted it resembled a campaign rally. Chants of “Marine Présidente!” echoed as her supporters waved flags, signaling that the event transcended mere defiance against a court ruling—it was a display of populist sentiment directed at France's political institutions.

Le Pen had been found guilty of embezzling €2.9 million of European Parliament funds for party duties and was sentenced to a total of four years in jail, two of which are suspended. Following her conviction, she appealed the decision and urged supporters to draw inspiration from prominent civil rights movements. "We will follow the example of Martin Luther King, who defended civil rights,” she said.

Jordan Bardella, the president of the RN and Le Pen's protégé, voiced strong denunciations against judges, accusing them of attempting to suppress dissent. "March 29 was a dark day for France," he asserted, referring to the day of Le Pen's conviction, arguing that the ruling was an attempt to eliminate her from the presidential race scheduled for 2027. In his speech, Bardella reinforced the sentiment that the legal decisions against Le Pen represent a larger systemic bias, claiming, “The system’s not broken—it’s rigged,” as supporters rallied behind their leader.

The backlash against the ruling has seen significant support from international right-wing figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who characterized the verdict as a “witch hunt” by European leftists. In contrast, Prime Minister François Bayrou and other centrist leaders labeled Trump's comments as unwanted interference in French politics. Bayrou emphasized the importance of judicial independence and accountability. “You steal, you pay,” he stated, reiterating that the legal system should maintain its integrity.

Counter-rallies organized by leftist and centrist factions took place, where they condemned what they referred to as an attack on the judiciary. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal led a rally in Saint-Denis, emphasizing the need to defend democratic institutions against perceived far-right overreach. Analysts and political observers have pointed out that Le Pen now faces a daunting challenge to sustain her political momentum as she confronts this legal setback.

Despite her conviction, Le Pen’s rhetoric has shifted toward framing herself as a champion of the disenfranchised against the elite, embedding her narrative in populist themes that appeal to her supporter base. As the 2027 presidential campaign approaches, the future of French democracy may pivot on voter perception of justice and institutional trust amidst these ongoing political battles.

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