Le Pen

Right-wing populists like Viktor Orbán and Marine Le Pen have begun to back away in embarrassment: Sorry, new phone.

He said he did not want to "discredit all judges" but claimed that the judgement against Le Pen was aimed at "eliminating her from the presidential race" in 2027.

Attal also denounced "unprecedented interference" in France's affairs, pointing to support for Le Pen from several right-wing leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungary's PM Viktor Orban.

RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli said that although the party would fight to have Le Pen as candidate, its 29-year-old president, Bardella, was "the most naturally legitimate" alternative.

However, a poll published a day before Le Pen was sentenced showed that around 60% of RN voters would back Bardella over Le Pen at the presidential election if he were to run.