Le Pen supporters rally in Paris, turning a protest into a populist show of force

Marine Le Pen's supporters rally in Paris after her conviction, signaling a defiant challenge to French institutions.

Convicted of embezzling public funds and banned from running for office, far-right politician Marine Le Pen stood unshaken before a sea of French flags in Paris on Sunday. “For 30 years, I have fought against injustice,” she told the crowd. “And I will continue to fight.”

Thousands of supporters gathered at Place Vauban, near the golden dome of Les Invalides and the tomb of Napoleon, for what was billed as a protest – but observers said it had all the markings of a campaign rally.

The National Rally, Ms. Le Pen’s party, organised the event in response to what it calls a politically motivated verdict. But with chants of “Marine Présidente!” and “They won’t steal 2027 from us,” the message was clear: this was more than a protest. It was a show of populist defiance aimed squarely at France’s institutions.

At the heart of that charge stood Jordan Bardella, Ms. Le Pen’s 29-year-old protégé and president of the National Rally. His speech was fiery, accusing France’s judges of trying to silence the opposition.

“March 29 was a dark day for France,” he said, referencing the date of Ms. Le Pen’s conviction. “The people must be free to choose their leaders – without interference from political judges.”

Though he claimed the party would respect democracy, Bardella denounced magistrates’ unions and warned of “a system determined to crush dissent.” Supporters carried signs reading “Justice taking orders” and “Stop the judicial dictatorship.” Others wore “Je suis Marine” (“I am Marine”) shirts or compared Le Pen to U.S. President Donald Trump, who was convicted of civil fraud: “Trump can run – why not Marine?”

“The system’s not broken – it’s rigged,” said Alice Triquet, a 26-year-old bartender. “If they can do this to her, what stops them from coming after anyone who doesn’t think like them?”