French Prime Minister François Bayrou stated on Saturday that it is “neither healthy nor desirable” to protest against a judicial decision, ahead of a far-right rally in Paris to denounce the conviction of their leader Marine Le Pen, which renders her ineligible for five years.
Bayrou, a centrist, emphasised in an interview with Le Parisien that demonstrations against judicial decisions are not ideal due to the separation of powers and the protection of justice established by institutions.
Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling public funds related to her party’s parliamentary assistants at the European Parliament and sentenced on Monday to four years in prison (two of which are to be served under electronic monitoring) and fined €100,000. She was also given an immediate five-year ineligibility, preventing her from participating in the 2027 presidential election. She has appealed the decision, along with other condemned members of the National Rally (RN).
Following criticism from Le Pen, who called the ruling a “democratic scandal” and accused the “system” of manoeuvres, President Emmanuel Macron stressed during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the judiciary in France is independent.
Despite this, the RN called for a “grand support rally” for Marine Le Pen at the Invalides building complex in Paris on Sunday, with the slogan “Save Democracy.” Le Pen is expected to speak at the event.
According to police sources, between 5,000 and 8,000 people are anticipated to attend the rally at the Invalides.
Several counter-demonstrations defending the rule of law have been announced in opposition to Le Pen’s supporters, including those organised by the far-left party La France Insoumise and environmental activists.
