Marine Le Pen (Rassemblement National) announced she will run for the French presidency in 2027 following a court ruling on July 7, 2026 [1].
The decision is critical because a conviction for the misuse of public funds could have barred Le Pen from seeking the nation's highest office. By ruling that her conviction does not disqualify her, the Paris appeal court ensures the party's primary leader can lead their ticket for a fourth candidacy [2].
Le Pen appeared in La Flèche, located in the Sarthe department, to launch her campaign activities [2]. During the event, she said that she intends to appeal the ruling to the Court of Cassation while simultaneously pursuing her candidacy for the 2027 election [2].
Jordan Bardella, the deputy leader of the Rassemblement National, accompanied Le Pen during the campaign launch. Bardella said he was "extremely happy" to enter the presidential campaign with Le Pen [1].
Bardella's support emphasizes the party's internal stability. He said he was neither disappointed nor relieved that he would not be the one carrying the party's colors for the 2027 race [3].
The legal battle stems from a case involving the alleged misuse of public funds related to European Parliament assistants [1]. While the appeal court upheld a conviction, it did not impose the specific penalty of ineligibility that would have ended Le Pen's political ambitions for the next term.
“"I will appeal to the Court of Cassation and present my candidacy for the 2027 presidential election."”
This ruling removes a significant legal hurdle for the Rassemblement National, preventing a leadership vacuum that might have forced Jordan Bardella to run as the party's primary candidate. By maintaining Le Pen's eligibility, the party preserves its established brand and leadership structure heading into the 2027 election cycle, though the ongoing appeal to the Court of Cassation indicates the legal battle is not yet fully resolved.
