Le Pen Launches Controversial Presidential Campaign, Cites Voters' Judgment

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen officially kicked off her campaign for the 2027 presidential election, appearing alongside her party president, Jordan Bardella. The launch occurred just one day after the Paris Court of Appeal upheld a conviction against her for embezzling European public funds, a ruling she intends to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Le Pen asserted that the focus should remain on the electoral judgment, stating, "It is up to the voters to judge." She emphasized her intention to steer clear of legal discussions throughout the campaign. "I want to make one thing very clear: Jordan Bardella and I are here because we are launching the presidential campaign. I am not going to spend the entire campaign talking about legal matters," Le Pen told reporters in La Flèche, western France.

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It is up to the voters to judge.

Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Le Pen maintains that the Court of Appeal's decision has restored her eligibility to run for office. She indicated that the legal proceedings would continue separately. The National Rally (RN) leader rejected suggestions that her appeal to the Supreme Court was a tactic to enable her campaign launch without restrictions, such as a travel ban.

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I want to make one thing very clear: Jordan Bardella and I are here because we are launching the presidential campaign. I am not going to spend the entire campaign talking about legal matters.