French Judges Face Death Threats After Marine Le Pen Sentencing

Paris, France – French authorities have launched a new investigation following death threats directed at the judges who sentenced far-right leader Marine Le Pen earlier this week, judicial sources confirmed. The probe comes amid heightened political tensions as Le Pen and her allies decry the ruling as politically motivated.

The Paris criminal court sentenced the National Rally (RN) leader to four years in prison and a five-year ban from public office over the misappropriation of European Parliament funds. Le Pen, who has appealed the decision, described the ruling as a “nuclear bomb” aimed at derailing her 2027 presidential ambitions.

Judges Receive Protection Amid Threats

Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the threats is separate from a previous probe into far-right website Riposte Laïque, which earlier this year targeted magistrates involved in the financial misconduct trial against Le Pen’s party.

Bénédicte de Perthuis, president of the court that convicted Le Pen, was placed under police protection after receiving death threats following the ruling.

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the independence of the judiciary, stating on Wednesday that judges and magistrates “must be protected.” Speaking to his cabinet, Macron emphasized that “all those subject to the law have the right to appeal.”

Prime Minister François Bayrou and senior judicial figures also condemned the threats. Public prosecutor Rémy Heitz called the attacks on the judges “unacceptable,” warning that those responsible could face criminal charges.

The Union Syndicale des Magistrats (USM) and Syndicat de la Magistrature (SM) labeled the threats as a grave attack on the rule of law. A national association of over 77,000 French lawyers also denounced the intimidation tactics.

Le Pen’s Appeal Could Keep 2027 Candidacy Alive

Le Pen, the frontrunner in opinion polls for the 2027 election, has vowed to challenge the ruling in higher courts, including the European Court of Human Rights.

The Paris Court of Appeal has announced that it will hear her case by summer 2026, potentially allowing her to run in the presidential race should she succeed in overturning the ruling.

Le Pen welcomed the appeals court timeline as “very good news” but maintained that the original verdict had caused “irreparable harm.” During a parliamentary session, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed hope that the appeal would be resolved in a “reasonable timeframe.”

The ruling has ignited a broader political firestorm. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have publicly criticized the conviction, with Musk accusing the “radical left” of weaponizing the legal system.

The verdict has also fueled anger among Le Pen’s supporters, leading to further scrutiny of France’s judiciary.

Plan B: Jordan Bardella as a Potential Successor

If Le Pen’s appeal fails, the RN reportedly has a contingency plan: Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old RN president known for his media savvy, could step in as the party’s 2027 candidate.

Bardella, a close ally of Le Pen, has steadily risen within the far-right party and is considered a strong alternative should Le Pen be barred from the race.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case continues to send shockwaves through French politics, raising questions about the intersection of justice, political power, and the future of the far-right movement in France.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members