Marine Le Pen announced on July 8, 2026, that she will run for president of France in the 2027 election after the Paris Court of Appeals reduced her sentence, allowing her to be eligible. The court's decision included a mandate for her to wear an ankle bracelet during the campaign season, which Le Pen has expressed concerns about, stating it could hinder her candidacy.
During her announcement, Le Pen declared, "Tonight, I am a candidate for the presidential election," affirming her commitment to the race. A National Rally party official reported that she informed her lieutenant and successor, Jordan Bardella, of her decision after consulting with her legal team.
The court ruling has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters of Le Pen expressing dissatisfaction over the ankle bracelet requirement, while her political rivals criticized the ruling for permitting her to run again.
Bardella, who has gained popularity since taking over as president of the National Rally, is seen as a potential successor should Le Pen face further legal challenges. Le Pen has previously run for president three times, reaching the runoff in 2017 and 2022 but losing both elections. Current issues such as inflation and immigration have increased support for her party, providing a favorable environment for her candidacy.
Le Pen's announcement was notable as she had previously indicated she would not appeal to a higher court, citing concerns about the impact on her party's prospects. She emphasized the strong partnership between herself and Bardella, stating that he would serve as prime minister if she were elected.
The Attorney General at the Paris Court of Appeal, Marie-Suzanne Le Queau, mentioned that she would review the court's ruling, which is lengthy, before deciding on the possibility of an appeal regarding the ankle bracelet requirement. Le Pen was sentenced in March 2025 to four years in prison, with two years suspended, and a five-year ban on holding office due to alleged embezzlement of European Union funds. The recent ruling has reduced her ban to 45 months, with 30 months suspended and 15 months backdated to her original sentence.