French President Emmanuel Macron has forcefully defended the independence of the judiciary after threats were made against the judge who convicted Marine Le Pen of embezzlement, intensifying tensions between France’s political and legal institutions.
AT A GLANCE
- Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis received threats after convicting Marine Le Pen.
- Le Pen was found guilty of misusing EU funds and banned from elections.
- Macron and Justice Minister Darmanin condemned the threats as attacks on democracy.
- Le Pen and allies claim the verdict is politically motivated.
- Debate emerges over judicial neutrality and appeal process timing.
Macron Defends Judiciary Amid Threats
Following the conviction of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, French authorities have placed Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis under police protection due to serious threats reportedly linked to the ruling. According to Politico Europe, the threats followed her verdict that Le Pen had embezzled European Parliament funds, resulting in a two-year prison sentence and a five-year electoral ban.
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the threats and reiterated his administration’s unwavering support for judicial independence. “The law is the same for everyone,” Macron emphasized in comments reported by Politico, rejecting claims that the trial was politically driven.
Le Pen and her political allies have insisted the case is part of a broader campaign to sabotage her future presidential ambitions. Among her defenders is former U.S. President Donald Trump, who referred to the verdict as “a very big deal,” characterizing it as undemocratic.
Watch Euronews coverage of Macron’s response.
Outrage and Political Fallout
The verdict has spurred nationwide debate over the boundaries between legal accountability and political bias. The threats against de Perthuis have sparked outrage across France’s political landscape, with French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stating that “threats against magistrates of the Paris Judicial Court are unacceptable in a democracy.”
The issue has drawn attention to France’s legal norms around electoral bans. While Le Pen has been barred from running until 2030, critics argue that such penalties should be delayed until all appeals are exhausted. As the verdict is likely to be challenged in court, her legal team may seek to overturn the ineligibility ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Pressure on Judicial Integrity
Macron’s defense of the judiciary reflects growing concern over maintaining institutional integrity amid rising political polarization. Sophie Primas, a senator from Les Républicains, emphasized that “the judiciary is independent,” reinforcing calls to shield legal authorities from external influence.
According to The Guardian, supporters of Le Pen argue that the French courts are being used as instruments of political repression. However, judicial officials stress the importance of upholding verdicts based on evidence rather than political fallout.
As France approaches another election cycle, this high-profile case has reignited conversations about how legal processes intersect with political ambition. Macron’s administration continues to call for civility and respect for judicial procedures, framing the threats as a direct challenge to democratic values.
While the legal and political outcomes remain uncertain, the French government’s underlying message is clear: the rule of law must prevail, and the judiciary must remain insulated from political retaliation.
