The conviction of Marine Le Pen has sparked headlines across Europe. Numerous media outlets reported on the matter and initial reactions did not take long to surface.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described the verdict as a “declaration of war from Brussels” while the Kremlin referred to it as a “violation of democratic norms.”
“We consider the court’s decision against the head of the French National Rally to be an internal matter of France” said Peskow. “What we observe, however, is that they do not hesitate to overstep the limits of democracy in the political process.”
Many European politicians have expressed solidarity with Le Pen.
Matteo Salvini stated, “Those who fear the verdict of the voters often find themselves confirmed by the judgments of the courts.” He, however, will not be deterred by the “declaration of war from Brussels.” “We will not be intimidated, we will not be halted” he emphasized.
Dutch politician Geert Wilders expressed outrage over the “harsh verdict” and emphasized that Le Pen can still become the next President of France.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also showed support for the French politician, writing on X: “I am Marine!”
The conviction has also sparked a broad debate on social media. Many commentators draw parallels with the case of Christine Lagarde, who was also legally targeted almost a decade ago, but without comparable consequences.
The verdict from Paris carries significant weight: in addition to a four-year prison sentence, with two years on probation and two years to be served with an electronic ankle tag, Le Pen will also lose her passive right to vote for five years. Even in the event of an appeal, the ban will remain in effect, which poses a significant constraint on her political career. In light of the French presidential elections in 2027, the verdict represents a significant setback for Le Pen and her political influence.