Simon Bouchez

BREAKING: Marine Le Pen was banned from running for president because of the risk for “democratic public unrest.” (alleged fear of far-left riots). Unlike what many think, the immediate enforcement of the ineligibility wasn’t an automatic legal consequence of the embezzlement conviction itself but a decision by the judges. Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement for misusing EU funds to pay party staff, a crime classified under French law as a "délit" (a lesser offense than a "crime," which typically does not automatically require a jury trial). The court, presided over by Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis, sentenced her to a 4-year prison term (with 2 years suspended & 2 to be served under house arrest) and the 5-year ban on running for office, effective immediately despite her intent to appeal. Under French law, convictions for certain financial offenses can carry a penalty of ineligibility for public office. However, this ban is usually suspended pending appeal unless the court explicitly orders "provisional execution," which makes it take effect immediately. In Le Pen’s case, the prosecution had requested this provisional execution, and the judges agreed, citing specific concerns beyond the mere fact of her conviction. Judge de Perthuis articulated that the decision to impose the immediate ban was influenced by the risk of "democratic public unrest" that could arise if a person convicted of embezzlement were allowed to run for president. The court weighed two risks: the danger of electing someone with such a conviction, which could undermine democratic integrity, and the potential "major risk to public order" if a prominent candidate like Le Pen were barred, potentially fueling outrage among her supporters. Ultimately, the judges prioritized the former, arguing that allowing her to run could represent a “serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life.” To summarize, the judges ruled that there could be more unrest on French streets by the far-left if they did allow her to run for president compared to the level of unrest there could be Le Pen’s supporters if they didn’t allow to her to run. It was an arbitrary decision, most likely fuelled by the fact that the French political, financial, media and judicial elite simply despise Le Pen and her supporters.

Berbaris menuju ajal 😢