The leader of the French party “National Rally“ Jordan Bardella is the most likely candidate for president of France in 2027, if the head of the party's parliamentary group Marine Le Pen is banned from running after the appeals court's decision in the parliamentary assistants case. This was stated on the air by Le Pen's niece and leader of the “Identity and Freedom Party“ on the LCI television channel. Marion Marechal.
“Let's be honest and clear: if Marine Le Pen, although I hope this does not happen, cannot run for president in 2027 "after the appeals court's decision, then Jordan Bardella would be the most natural candidate," Marechal said.
She stressed that she is part of a coalition with the National United Front, but is not a member of the party itself, although she supports the possible candidacy of Le Pen or Bardella in the 2027 elections.
On March 31, a Paris court issued a verdict in a case involving Le Pen and the National Unity party, which was related to expenses for parliamentary assistants. The head of the parliamentary faction was sentenced to four years of restricted freedom, two of which she will have to wear an electronic bracelet (the remaining two years are suspended). The court also decided to deprive her of the right to hold elected office and participate in elections for a period of five years, and this measure, unlike imprisonment, took effect immediately and can only be lifted in the event of a successful appeal. This measure does not only apply to the current parliamentary term, as she must also leave other elected positions.
The Paris court's ruling deprives her of the opportunity to run in the French presidential election in 2027 and to participate in parliamentary elections in the event of an early dissolution of the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament). Le Pen herself called the court's decision political and filed an appeal to a higher court. The appellate review of the case is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.