Marine Le Pen Vows to Remain RN Candidate for 2027 Despite Legal Hurdles

Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement National (RN), has declared her unwavering determination to be the party’s candidate in the 2027 French presidential election, despite facing significant legal challenges that could threaten her eligibility. In a recent interview with Ouest-France on November 23, 2025, Le Pen described herself as "extremely combative" and denied any intention to resign her presidential ambitions.

Le Pen is currently serving a five-year ineligibility sentence following her conviction in a case concerning embezzlement involving European parliamentary assistants. This verdict includes a four-year prison sentence, with two years under electronic monitoring, and a €100,000 fine. The ineligibility ruling complicates her plans for 2027. However, she has lodged an appeal, with hearings scheduled between January 13 and February 12, 2026, and a ruling expected by summer or September 2026.

Le Pen warned that if the court's decision arrives too close to the election date, it could disrupt RN’s campaign strategy, potentially forcing her to hand over candidacy to party president Jordan Bardella, who is currently engaged in a literary tour promoting his book "Ce que veulent les Français."

She previously stated that if her ineligibility is affirmed, she would not run in 2027 and intends to promptly announce this decision. Nonetheless, as of now, she maintains her commitment to the presidential race and refuses to step down prematurely.

This firm stance highlights Le Pen’s resolve to lead her party into the upcoming elections despite the legal cloud hanging over her political future, underscoring the high stakes for RN as it prepares for the competitive 2027 presidential campaign.