Marine Le Pen declared eligible for 2027 French presidential election amid legal challenges

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Rally party, has declared her intention to run for president in the 2027 election. This announcement follows a decision by a Paris appeals court that significantly reduced the period she is barred from holding public office.

Initially facing a five-year ban, the court revised the sentence to 45 months, with 30 months suspended. Le Pen has already served 15 months of this period following her initial conviction. While the ruling allows her to stand for election, she will be subject to electronic monitoring for the next 15 months, potentially restricting her movement during the campaign.

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Marine Le Pen announced that she will run in the elections, even though according to the verdict, she will be under electronic surveillance for the next year, which will limit her freedom of movement.

Le Pen expressed her intent to appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, hoping the sentence will be suspended during the legal process, thereby avoiding the need to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet during her campaign. The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for April 18, 2027, with the second round on May 2, 2027.

Recent opinion polls indicate a strong showing for Le Pen. Surveys by Ifop for LCI and Le Figaro, as well as Toluna Harris Interactive for M6 and RTL, suggest she would win the first round and defeat potential centrist or left-wing candidates in the second round. For instance, Ifop polls show her securing 36% in the first round and winning against Édouard Philippe (54% to 46%) or Gabriel Attal (55% to 45%) in the second. Toluna Harris Interactive polls show similar results, with Le Pen winning 51% to 49% against Philippe and 55% to 45% against Attal.

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Le Pen announced her intention to file a complaint with the Court of Cassation and expressed her conviction that the appellate court's ruling will be suspended while the case is being heard, so she will not have to wear an electronic bracelet during the election campaign.