PARIS — Over the past few decades, Marine Le Pen seemed to be on the brink of seizing power in France. Methodically reshaping the far-right landscape, she methodically distanced herself from its contentious past. She transformed the movement into a streamlined and disciplined organization, singularly focused on capturing the French presidency. Her efforts almost paid off in the previous presidential elections, where she secured over 40% of the vote against Emmanuel Macron, inching closer to the Élysée Palace than most could have anticipated.
However, her political trajectory now seems precarious following a court ruling on Monday. Le Pen was convicted of misappropriating funds from the European Union and was prohibited from holding public office for five years. This legal setback doesn’t just jeopardize her chances in the forthcoming presidential contest but possibly marks an end to a significant far-right pursuit of power in Western Europe, second only to the political achievements of Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
Le Pen’s influence, however, has set a groundwork with reverberations likely to be felt for years. Her journey began within a family already situated on the fringes of French politics. Born in 1968, her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, established the National Front in 1972, which was marred by racist ideologies and nostalgia for France’s colonial past. A traumatic event during her childhood, when a bomb detonated in their home, is seen to have forged her resilience and fueled her political ambitions.
Graduating in law and working as a defense attorney, Le Pen didn’t shy away from challenging her father’s leadership. She took control of the party in 2011 and eventually expelled him in 2015 following controversial remarks he made. Renaming the party as the National Rally, she steered it away from blatant extremism to focus on a more traditional French narrative. Her approach was strategic; she cultivated support from communities traditionally opposed to her father’s rhetoric, like the LGBTQ community, framing herself as a protector against external threats.
Le Pen has contested the French presidency in 2012, 2017, and 2022, each campaign building upon the last. In 2022, she presented herself as relatable, reinforcing her image with personal anecdotes and positioning her policies as an appeal for “national priority.” Her string of alliances with far-right leaders across Europe further solidified her position, offering a model for others attempting similar political shifts.
Despite her loss in 2022, her political ambitions remained undeterred. She stayed active in parliament and prepared for another run in 2027, where polls showed her leading. But the recent court verdict changed the landscape dramatically, painting a different future for Le Pen and her party.
Found guilty of embezzling EU funds for party use, Le Pen was sentenced to two years of house arrest, given a hefty fine, and barred from holding office, although she plans to appeal. The decision was met with widespread reactions from her allies who expressed discontent, while opponents celebrated the judgment as a victory for justice.
The National Rally under Marine Le Pen’s leadership has become a formidable presence in the French National Assembly. Her chosen successor, Jordan Bardella, inherits a robust yet challenging political landscape. Even as Le Pen deals with legal battles, her influence reshaped French politics, making the National Rally a significant player in the nation’s political affairs.
Le Pen’s leadership laid down a blueprint for far-right politics, challenging traditional political norms and crafting a lasting legacy. Her contribution to redefining political dynamics in France remains undeniable, even without having ever held the presidency.