Monday's decision takes effect immediately and likely bars Le Pen from participating in France’s next presidential election in 2027. She said she would appeal, but there's no guarantee another court would rule more favorably, and appeals can take several years to conclude.
The ruling has reverberated beyond France, sending ripples through conservative circles across Europe after some parties, including Le Pen's, have gained huge support from voters in various countries.
“The (judicial) system brought out the nuclear bomb,” Le Pen said Tuesday in the National Assembly, where she is a lawmaker. “And if it is using such a powerful weapon against us, it’s obviously because we’re about to win the elections.”
Le Pen denounced the ruling as “a democratic scandal, a real shame, staining our country.”
She said she hopes an appeal decision will come before the presidential election.
