Key facts
- Marine Le Pen's embezzlement conviction was upheld by an appeal court, allowing her to run for president.
- The court ruled Le Pen played a key part in siphoning over €2.8m through a fake-jobs scam for her party.
- She was ordered to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year with a curfew.
- Le Pen plans to appeal to France's highest court, pausing the sentence during her campaign.
- Local voters expressed a mix of support for change and concern over her conviction.
Marine Le Pen has launched her bid for the French presidency, with an appeal court upholding her conviction for embezzlement but shortening the restriction that barred her from office. The court ruled Le Pen played a key role in a scheme to siphon over €2.8 million in European Parliament funds to her party between 2004 and 2016. She was ordered to wear an electronic ankle tag for a year with a curfew, but plans to appeal to France's highest court, which will suspend the sentence during her campaign.
Despite the legal setback, Le Pen's popularity remains high, according to snap polling, positioning her strongly for the upcoming presidential election. Local residents in Montargis expressed a desire for change, with some dismissing the conviction as typical political behavior. Jean-Antoine, a retired decorator, stated, "All politicians in France have always been schemers, it’s just a fact of life." He felt voters for the far-right National Rally (RN) party would not be deterred.
However, others voiced concerns. Gisèle, a retired gymnastics coach, felt the conviction could "put a brake on her" presidential ambitions. Christiane, a chiropodist, expressed disappointment that Le Pen would stand instead of RN party president Jordan Bardella, whom she saw as having broader appeal. Selma, a mother-of-three, worried about societal divisions and rising racism, citing a personal experience of verbal assault.
The RN's growing influence is evident in towns like Montargis, which elected rightwing mayors, reflecting Le Pen's 15-year effort to soften the party's image while maintaining its anti-immigration stance. The party, formerly known as the Front National, was co-founded by Marine Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, and has historically been criticized for its far-right views.