French politics to get ‘even messier’ as far-right figurehead Le Pen rails against ban, analysts warn

Paris has been plunged into more political turmoil after far-right firebrand Marine Le Pen’s presidential hopes were dashed by a ban to run for public office — as analysts warn the decision could further destabilize the euro zone’s second-largest economy.

The country suffered another political bombshell on Monday after Le Pen, the leader of far-right National Rally party, was convicted of embezzling EU funds and barred from running for public office for five years, with immediate effect. The ruling effectively disqualifies Le Pen from the 2027presidential election.

Le Pen vehemently denies any wrongdoing and on Monday night vowed to appeal the conviction, which she dubbed as a “biased” and “political decision.”

“I am combative, I won’t allow myself to be eliminated like this. I will use all the possible routes to appeal. There is a narrow path. It is indeed very narrow, but it exists. I will indeed ask as clearly as possible for the appeal decision to be allowed so I can be considered to run for the presidential election,” Le Pen told broadcaster TF1, according to a CNBC translation.

The Paris Criminal Court judge presiding over the case, Benedicte de Perthuis, denied delivering a political verdict on Monday, saying nobody had “immunity in violation of the rule of law.”

Le Pen’s conviction has put France’s political establishment on high alert amid concerns of potential backlash from her supporters and worries that the judgment could be seen as a political prosecution.

Even some of Le Pen’s political opponents, such as leftwing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, voiced disquiet over a court having the power to immediately bar Le Pen, particularly before appeals processes have run their course.

National Rally Spokesperson Fabrice Leggeri told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” Tuesday that the ruling was a “threat to French democracy” and that there was a lack of “neutrality” in the French justice system.

Meanwhile, National Rally President Jordan Bardella — a likely “plan B’ for the party’s presidential candidate if Le Pen’s appeal does not succeed — called on supporters to sign a petition endorsing Le Pen and “a peaceful mobilization” to defend the politician.