Marine Le Pen launches fourth presidential campaign after court clears her despite conviction

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far‑right National Rally, officially launched her fourth bid for the presidency on Wednesday in the small Loire‑Valley town of La Flèche. The ceremony followed a decision by an appeals court that cleared her to stand for office, even though the court upheld her earlier conviction for misappropriating millions of euros in public funds. The launch event drew supporters and local officials, with Le Pen outlining a platform that emphasizes national sovereignty, stricter immigration controls, and a return to what she calls “French values.”

The legal backdrop to the campaign has been contentious. In 2021, a French court convicted Le Pen of financial misconduct, sentencing her to a suspended prison term and a fine. The conviction was later upheld by an appeals court, yet the judicial ruling did not bar her from running. The National Rally has argued that the restrictions imposed on her candidacy are politically motivated, while critics maintain that the legal findings underscore serious breaches of public trust. The launch in La Flèche marks a strategic move to rally regional support ahead of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April.

As France heads toward the next round of elections, Le Pen’s campaign is expected to intensify her messaging on security and economic nationalism. Her presence in the Loire Valley underscores the party’s aim to broaden its appeal beyond traditional strongholds. The launch is a reminder that, despite legal controversies, Le Pen remains a central figure in French politics, poised to contest the presidency once again.