France was plunged into political chaos this week after the conviction of far-right leader Marine Le Pen ignited a wave of protests across the country, laying bare the deep divisions that continue to cleave French society.
Marine Le Pen, 56, was found guilty of embezzlement last Friday in a Paris court, a ruling that has rendered her ineligible to contest the 2027 presidential election. The decision has been met with fury by her supporters, who see the conviction as a politically motivated attempt to silence the woman who has, for over a decade, been the most potent force on France’s nationalist right.
Within hours of the verdict, calls for action reverberated through far-right circles. By Saturday, thousands of demonstrators had poured onto the streets of Paris, waving French flags and placards bearing slogans such as “Justice for Marine” and “Hands off our democracy.” Similar rallies quickly erupted in Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux.
“This is not just about me. This is about the future of France.” — Marine Le Pen
As the far-right mobilised, so too did Le Pen’s opponents. Centrist and left-wing groups organised counter-protests under banners proclaiming “No to Fascism” and “Democracy Over Demagoguery.”
In Paris, the two sides clashed near Place de la République, where police were forced to intervene with tear gas to separate the groups. Scores of arrests were reported, and several demonstrators were injured, though authorities maintained that the violence was limited and under control.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin appealed for calm, warning that “violence from any quarter will not be tolerated.” Additional police units were deployed to major cities in anticipation of further unrest.
A seismic moment for the far right
Le Pen’s conviction marks a seismic moment in French politics. Although her National Rally (Rassemblement National) party has long been dogged by allegations of financial impropriety, Le Pen had until now managed to remain personally unscathed.
The charges related to the misuse of European Parliament funds, with prosecutors alleging that Le Pen and her party diverted allowances intended for parliamentary assistants to fund political activities in France. After a two-month trial, the court found her guilty on multiple counts and barred her from seeking public office for five years.
While Le Pen’s legal team has vowed to appeal, the immediate political implications are profound. She had been widely regarded as a frontrunner for the 2027 race, buoyed by the growing unpopularity of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist successor, Prime Minister Bruno Le Maire.
Without Le Pen at the helm, the far-right landscape is suddenly adrift. Her protégé, Jordan Bardella, 29, has stepped forward to rally the faithful, but analysts question whether he has the stature or experience to lead a national campaign.
“The far-right electorate is deeply loyal to Marine personally. Without her, the movement risks fragmentation.” — Professor Lucie Morin, Sciences Po
Deepening societal divides
Beyond the immediate political ramifications, the protests have underscored the deep fractures within French society — fractures that many believe have only widened in recent years.
The anger that propelled Le Pen’s rise — frustration over immigration, insecurity, and economic inequality — remains as potent as ever. Many of her supporters view the judicial system with deep suspicion, seeing it as an arm of an elite establishment determined to protect its own.
“Marine speaks for the real France — the France of workers, of patriots. They are afraid of us.” — Jean-Baptiste Roux, protester
Meanwhile, critics of Le Pen argue that her downfall is long overdue.
“This is not persecution. It’s justice finally catching up with corruption and hate.” — Clara Bernard, student protester
France’s uncertain road ahead
As France grapples with the fallout, attention now turns to what comes next. Le Pen’s appeal could drag on for months, keeping tensions simmering. Meanwhile, the National Rally must urgently decide whether to rally behind Bardella or risk losing ground to rival right-wing parties.
For President Macron’s government, the crisis presents both a risk and an opportunity: a chance to portray themselves as the guarantors of stability, but also a potential rallying point for a disillusioned electorate.
One thing is clear: the battle for the soul of France is far from over.
