Le Pen Announces Presidential Bid After Sentence Allows Her to Run

Far-right French leader Marine Le Pen has declared her intention to run for president in the 2027 elections, following a court decision that convicted her of embezzling European public funds. While sentenced to one year in prison, the possibility of wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet offers her a path to campaign.

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Yes, I will be a candidate for the presidential elections.

Le Pen announced her candidacy on TF1 television, appearing alongside Jordan Bardella, the president of her National Rally party. She confirmed she would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court to defend her innocence. This legal action would suspend the sentence's execution, allowing her to campaign without the electronic device, which she deemed essential for her presidential bid.

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I had indicated that I would not campaign with the electronic device on. But since I have the option to appeal to the Supreme Court (...) and the appeal suspends the effects of the sentence, I will campaign without the electronic device.

"I had indicated that I would not campaign with the electronic device on. But since I have the option to appeal to the Supreme Court (...) and the appeal suspends the effects of the sentence, I will campaign without the electronic device," Le Pen stated. She also designated Bardella, 30, as her potential prime minister, describing them as a "reliable duo" and a "winning formula" dedicated to fighting "for France."

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We complement each other.

The Paris Court of Appeal reduced Le Pen's disqualification period, citing proportionality and the "voter's freedom of choice" as essential for democratic expression. The court noted that the 15-month sanction already served since the initial sentence in March 2025 was sufficient to repair harm to public probity, and maintaining it would violate the "principle of freedom of candidacy."

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The French will be judges (...) It is strange that the French are considered incapable of making a decision.