Marine Le Pen declared herself a candidate for France's 2027 presidential election on Wednesday. She was able to run after a court ruled the previous ban on her holding office was too strict—though the court did uphold her earlier conviction for misusing European Parliament funds.

Le Pen announced her candidacy at a campaign event in La Flèche, a town in western France. But roughly 100 protesters showed up to challenge her. They chanted "Rends l'argent," which means "Give back the money," referring to the financial conviction. Police had to push the protesters back so Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, the president of her political party (the Rassemblement National), could walk through the town market. The event ended earlier than planned Le Parisien. The crowd contained both cheers and protest chants Reuters.

What the Court Decided

In 2024, a French court found Le Pen guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. It ordered her to pay a fine and banned her from holding elected office for several years. This past week, an appeals court looked at the case again. It agreed she was guilty—but said the ban was too harsh. The court shortened the ban, giving her permission to run for president Reuters.

Both sides claim the ruling helps their case. Le Pen's supporters point out the ban was reduced. Her critics point out the conviction still stands. Neither group got everything they wanted Al Jazeera.

Why La Flèche?

Le Pen did not pick La Flèche by accident. Her party has strong support in this town and the surrounding region of Sarthe, according to the party's official records rassemblementnational.fr. Her party often launches big national events in towns where they are popular, rather than in Paris. This keeps the event away from journalists and crowds hostile to them. But the protest in La Flèche shows that choosing friendly territory does not guarantee smooth events.

The party had planned a full day of campaign activity. Party officials were scheduled to appear on French television news shows at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to the party's schedule rassemblementnational.fr. This kind of coordinated television push is how parties try to control what the public hears at the start of a campaign.

What Happens Next

Le Pen is now officially running for president in 2027. The court has confirmed she is legally allowed to do so. Her campaign's first public event was cut short by protesters, but the party's television appearances still reached the public that evening.