With less than a week to go before a crucial court decision that will determine his political future, Marine Le Pen She was the guest on LCI's "Grand Entretien," presented by Darius Rochebin. In a particularly tense context, the president of the National Rally group in the National Assembly addressed topics ranging from her appeal trial to the 2027 presidential election, Jordan Bardella, immigration, and security.
This intervention was of particular importance: on July 7, the Paris Court of Appeal will decide whether or not to uphold his conviction in the case of European parliamentary assistants, a decision that could shake up the race for the Élysée Palace.
Marine Le Pen confirms her candidacy… under one condition
The main message of the evening was unambiguous: Marine Le Pen remains the National Rally's candidate for the 2027 presidential election. "If I can be a candidate, I will be a candidate," she repeated several times. But she set a very clear limit: she refuses to consider a presidential campaign under house arrest with an electronic tag.
According to her, a candidate for the highest office must have complete freedom of movement to travel the country, organize public meetings, and meet with voters. She believes that such a constraint would make a genuine presidential campaign impossible.
A court decision that could change everything.
The interview was largely dominated by the court hearing scheduled for July 7th. Marine Le Pen maintains she is not afraid of the upcoming decision, even though she acknowledges it could profoundly alter her political future. She asserts that she continues to sleep soundly and emphasizes her ability to face adversity.
She explains that, whatever the outcome of the trial, she will continue her political activism. Even if she can no longer run for the presidency, she promises to continue defending her ideas, including as a grassroots activist. She also announces that, in the event of a conviction, she will use all possible legal avenues, while acknowledging that certain legal proceedings could prevent her from running in 2027.
Jordan Bardella remains the partner, not the replacement
While many questions remain about a possible Plan B for the National Rally, Marine Le Pen reaffirms that she is "the natural candidate" for her party. She emphasizes the complementarity between herself and Jordan Bardella, whom she describes as a leader with a strong ability to unite people and a dynamism linked to his youth.
According to her, their division of roles is clear: her experience is an asset for the presidential election, while Jordan Bardella embodies the future of the movement and could serve as Prime Minister and leader of the majority. Marine Le Pen also rejects the idea of exercising any control over the president of the National Rally. She affirms that she grants him complete autonomy, even though the two leaders communicate daily.
Security, immigration and justice: the heart of his speech
On matters of national sovereignty, Marine Le Pen has remained true to the positions defended by the National Rally. Following the murder of young Louis in Narbonne, she called for a much more systematic enforcement of prison sentences and wanted to abolish several sentence adjustment mechanisms, particularly for convictions related to physical violence.
On the issue of immigration, she reaffirmed her commitment to ending immigration and emphasized the need for integration based on the personal initiative of newcomers. When questioned about French Muslim voters, she stated that she makes no distinction based on origin, religion, or skin color and asserted her desire to represent all French citizens.
An open strategy for the legislative elections
Marine Le Pen also confirms that the National Rally wishes to continue the alliance strategy initiated during the 2024 legislative elections with Éric Ciotti.
She mentions the creation of an electoral platform allowing several political parties to work together while each retaining its own identity. This, she believes, is a way to further broaden the RN's electoral base without compromising the autonomy of its partner parties.
Le Pen embraces his political legacy
During the interview, Marine Le Pen also defined herself as "Gaullian" rather than a Gaullist. She explained that she shares General de Gaulle's vision of sovereignty and France's place in the world, while distancing herself from certain historical decisions, particularly those concerning the Harkis.
She also strongly criticized Jean-Luc Mélenchon, whom she accuses of promoting a project of national division, while believing that a second round against the leader of the radical left remains a credible hypothesis.
A campaign suspended pending justice
This intervention confirms that the National Rally's entire presidential strategy now hinges on the decision expected on July 7th. Marine Le Pen intends to demonstrate her continued commitment to the presidential race while simultaneously preparing politically for all eventualities. Her speech aims to reassure her electorate, showcase her personal resolve, and preserve the movement's unity around the partnership she forms with Jordan Bardella.
Just days before a verdict that could weigh heavily on the 2027 presidential election, this interview appears to be a statement intended as much to defend her legal future as to maintain her status as the favorite of her camp in the race for the Elysée.
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