Marine Le Pen faces five-year ban from office after judge's ruling
- A ruling by Judge Benedicte de Perthuis bans Marine Le Pen from public office for five years due to embezzlement of EU funds.
- Following this ruling, the judge faced death threats and received police protection after her address was published online.
- The threats against the judge have sparked discussions on the state of democracy and judicial safety in France.
In France, a significant legal ruling occurred when Benedicte de Perthuis, a judge presiding over a case against Marine Le Pen, declared that Le Pen would be banned from running for the presidency in 2027. This ruling, announced in early March 2025, was based on findings that Le Pen had embezzled EU funds, resulting in public outcry and threats against the judge. Following this ruling, de Perthuis's personal information was publicly shared online, prompting her to receive police protection. The threats against her and other officials involved in the case have ignited a national debate regarding the safety of judges and the state of democracy in France. Political support for the judiciary has emerged, with various officials condemning the intimidation and harassment faced by judges. The backlash against the ruling has been substantial, with many of Le Pen's supporters believing the judicial process has been biased against her. Despite this public unrest, a senior prosecutor announced that five individuals responsible for threatening the judges have been identified and will face severe punishment, reinforcing the need to protect judicial independence and the integrity of the legal system. This situation has drawn parallels to political tensions seen in other countries, where judicial decisions are often met with public backlash and calls for change. The incident has further highlighted the growing concern over the relationship between populist movements and the judiciary, raising questions about the safeguarding of democratic principles in contemporary politics.