Le Pen awaits verdict, Bardella ready to take on the role

07.07.2026 09:01 HotInfo

Marine Le Pen will learn on Tuesday, July 7, whether she can run in France's 2027 presidential election. The Paris appeals court is due to rule in the case concerning the assistants of former National Front MEPs, in which she was convicted at first instance of misusing European Parliament funds. France24 ↗

The ruling could determine both her political future and the strategy of the National Rally. Last year Le Pen received a five-year ban on running for office and a four-year prison sentence. If the appeals court upholds an ineligibility ban longer than two years, she would not be able to seek the Élysée Palace for a fourth time. The court is also set to rule on the guilt of the other co-defendants. teraz.sk ↗

The party is therefore also preparing for a scenario in which Jordan Bardella would be the candidate. He has said he is calm and ready to accept the consequences of the ruling. Ahead of the verdict, Le Pen and Bardella already appeared together in Liévin, in the Pas-de-Calais department, where they sought to project unity, confidence, and readiness to continue regardless of the verdict. France24 ↗

The case carries significance beyond the court proceedings themselves. If the court bars Le Pen's candidacy, Bardella, seen within the party as a ready-made successor, could move to the forefront. Tuesday's decision could therefore fundamentally shape the form of the French presidential campaign ahead of 2027. Le Figaro ↗