🔸Despite the court ruling, Le Pen will run in the 2027 election Marine Le Pen, the far-right French politician, said Tuesday, July 7 (16 Tir), just a few hours after the appellate court’s decision, in an interview with the TF1 television network: “From this evening, I am a presidential election candidate.” She also said that she would file an appeal. The court, while confirming the initial verdict, reduced the length of her five-year ban from holding public office. On Tuesday, the judges handed Le Pen a 45-month ban from holding public office, but suspended the execution of 30 months of that period. As a result, Le Pen can essentially run again in the 2027 election, since the remaining disqualification period—15 months—will have elapsed by then. However, the judges also sentenced her to three years in prison. Although two years of this sentence are suspended, Le Pen must serve the remaining one year under electronic monitoring. If Le Pen had opted not to run in the 2027 election, it is likely that Gérald Darmanin Barra? would be nominated in her stead—an important political figure, supported by her, as a representative of the National Rally. According to some polls, Darmanin Barra?’s popularity is currently higher than Le Pen’s. On economic issues, Darmanin Barra? has a more market-oriented approach than his political sponsor; a point that is also the subject of debate and disagreement within the party.