French PM brands Trump support for Le Pen “interference”
France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Saturday slammed as "interference" US President Donald Trump's support for French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen over her embezzlement conviction.
Referring to Trump's remark that the case against Le Pen was a "witch hunt", the centrist premier described it as "interference" in French affairs, in an interview published in the newspaper Le Parisien, complaining that "there are no longer any borders" in international political discourse.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, was convicted on March 31, 2025, of embezzling approximately EUR 4.5 million in European Union funds. The court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended, and imposed a five-year ban from holding public office, effectively barring her from the 2027 presidential election.
The conviction stems from allegations that, between 2004 and 2016, Le Pen and several party members misused EU funds intended for parliamentary aides by redirecting them to pay RN party staff in France. This practice was deemed a significant misuse of public funds, leading to charges of embezzlement.
Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the charges and subsequent conviction as politically motivated. She announced plans to appeal the verdict, a process that could extend over several years. Despite the legal challenges, Le Pen remains a central figure in French politics, and her party has reported an influx of support following the conviction, including 20,000 new members and 500,000 petition signatures in her favor.
The court's decision has sparked a range of reactions within France and internationally. Supporters argue that the ruling is an attempt to sideline a prominent political opponent, while critics contend that it underscores the necessity of accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. The ban from public office poses a significant obstacle to Le Pen's political ambitions, particularly her anticipated candidacy in the 2027 presidential race.
In response to the conviction, US President Donald Trump labeled the case against Le Pen as a "witch hunt," a term he has frequently used regarding investigations into his own activities.
