Instead of accepting the court’s ruling and hoping she could get her sentence knocked down to six months for good behavior, the 57-year-old took a major gamble: She announced on prime-time television that she would once again appeal, this time to France’s highest court.
Le Pen argued that her decision would free her of the obligation to wear the bracelet, as appeals lift penalties under French criminal law. But the new trial before the the Cour de cassation could now take place in the middle of her presidential campaign.
“My hands are clean … I will prove it,” Le Pen said. “Now that my electoral ban is up, I intend to exhaust all legal remedies available to any person subject to the law, so that I can defend my innocence.”
Many had expected Le Pen to emerge from the stifling courtroom with no other option but to hand Bardella the reins. Opinion polls indicate that Bardella is slightly more popular than Le Pen, though his age and limited experience had sparked concerns among party insiders about whether he could withstand the rigors of a presidential campaign — or if he is ready to take on one of the most powerful offices in the world.
Le Pen insisted she would campaign alongside Bardella, promising him the role of prime minister if she’s elected.
But Le Pen’s campaign won’t look like Bardella’s. With her more populist style, Le Pen champions a catch-all brand of economic policies, including defending much of the French welfare state — a stance that has long been met with disdain by conservative and business circles. Bardella, meanwhile, has been trying extending his party’s appeal to a broader right-wing electorate by striking a more pro-market tone.