The political landscape in France is on the brink of a potential shift as the Paris Court of Appeal prepares to make a pivotal decision on Marine Le Pen’s eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election. The outcome could determine whether Le Pen, a key figure in France’s far-right politics, will face barriers to her political ambitions.
Le Pen, aged 57, is contesting a March 2025 conviction that found her and her National Rally party associates guilty of misappropriating funds meant for the European Parliament, allegedly using them for party activities rather than parliamentary duties. If the appeal is unsuccessful, Le Pen could face a ban from holding elected office or other penalties, including wearing an electronic tag.
Key Developments in Le Pen and Bardella’s Careers
1968:
Marine Le Pen is born on August 5 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb west of Paris. She is the youngest daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the far-right National Front party.
1972:
Jean-Marie Le Pen establishes the National Front, focusing on nationalist and anti-immigration policies. He gains notoriety for his repeated Holocaust denial and convictions related to antisemitism and inciting racial violence. Learn more.
1995:
Jordan Bardella is born on September 13 in Drancy, a low-income area northeast of Paris. Of Italian and Algerian descent, he was raised in public housing.
2002:
Jean-Marie Le Pen makes it to the presidential runoff, losing to Jacques Chirac by a large margin, signifying the rise of the far-right as a significant political force.
2011:
Marine Le Pen takes over as president of the National Front, working to rebrand the party and distance it from extremist views. She expels her father from the party in 2015 following his controversial statements.
2012:
Marine Le Pen runs for the presidency for the first time, finishing third with almost 18% of the votes. Bardella, then 17, joins the party.
2017:
Le Pen reaches the presidential runoff but loses to Emmanuel Macron, who wins with 66.1% of the votes. Bardella gains prominence as a party spokesperson. More details.
2018:
The National Front rebrands as the National Rally as part of Le Pen’s strategy to appeal to a broader audience. Read more.
2019:
Bardella, at 23, leads the National Rally’s campaign in the European Parliament elections, securing victory in France and getting elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He later becomes one of the party’s vice presidents.
2022:
Le Pen makes it to the presidential runoff again, achieving a record 41% of the vote for the far-right against Macron. Bardella is elected as the president of the National Rally. Explore more.
2024:
The National Rally becomes the largest single political force in the National Assembly, though it does not secure an outright majority. Discover more.
2025:
A Paris court convicts Le Pen and party officials for misusing European Parliament funds, sentencing her to prison and barring her from running for public office for five years. She appeals the decision. Read more.
2026:
The Paris Court of Appeal will rule on Le Pen’s appeal, a decision crucial to her potential candidacy in the 2027 presidential election.
2027:
The presidential election is scheduled to take place on April 18 and May 2, as France seeks to elect a successor to Macron, who is barred from a third consecutive term.
