Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally party, was sentenced to four years in prison (two years firm) and a five-year ban from public office for misappropriation of European funds. This followed a ten-year legal process. She received support from Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Viktor Orbán.
Le Pen organized a rally to denounce the conviction as a political attack, claiming to be a victim. While her party claimed 15,000 attendees, the Interior Ministry estimated the number closer to 5,000. She controversially compared herself to Martin Luther King Jr.
Former Prime Ministers Élisabeth Borne and Gabriel Attal criticized Le Pen's actions and supporters, accusing her of undermining democratic institutions and aligning with the autocratic actions of Trump and Putin. They highlighted her past ties to Putin and the support her party gives to Trump.
Jordan Bardella, Le Pen's likely successor, emphasized the tactical and strategic importance of the rally, signaling continued protests and defense of their values.