The political landscape in France is heating up.  Jordan Bardella, a prominent figure in the National Rally (RN) party, has ignited a wave of protests.  He has called for a gathering in the heart of Paris.  This comes after a significant legal setback for Marine Le Pen.  She has been barred from holding public office for five years.  This ruling stems from her involvement in a scheme that misused nearly 3 million euros of European Union funds.  The ban is immediate, and while Le Pen can appeal, the process could take a long time.  This leaves her with slim chances of running for the presidency in 2027.

    Le Pen and Bardella are not taking this lying down.  They have accused the judicial system of using heavy-handed tactics to prevent the RN from gaining power.  Le Pen compared the situation to a "nuclear bomb" dropped on her party.  She believes the "system" is trying to stop them because they are on the brink of victory.  Bardella, meanwhile, has condemned what he calls the "tyranny of the judges. "  Both leaders have also spoken out against the threats and insults directed at the judges involved in the case.

    The legal ruling has sparked a lot of talk about who will lead the RN if Le Pen is out of the picture.  Le Pen has made it clear she won't go down without a fight.  Bardella, however, has been more reserved, refusing to confirm if he is the party's backup plan.  But RN spokesman Laurent Jacobelli has hinted that Bardella could be the natural successor.  A recent poll suggests that many RN voters would support Bardella over Le Pen if given the choice.  This poll also showed that Bardella could potentially secure up to 36% of the total vote.

    The situation has also drawn international attention.  Several right-wing figures, including Hungary's Viktor Orban and former US President Donald Trump, have expressed support for Le Pen.  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also weighed in, stating that the sentence deprives millions of citizens of representation.  The controversy surrounding Le Pen's case has certainly put a spotlight on the French political scene.

    The legal battle is far from over.  Le Pen has been hit with a hefty fine and a prison sentence, part of which is suspended.  However, these penalties will not take effect until the appeals process is complete, which could take several years.  In the meantime, the RN party and its supporters are gearing up for a fight.  They are determined to challenge the ruling and keep their political ambitions alive.  The coming weeks and months will be crucial in shaping the future of the RN and French politics as a whole.

Marine Le Pen's Political Future in Jeopardy

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