France's Council of State confirmed on Monday, November 10, the forced resignation of Marine Le Pen from her Pas-de-Calais departmental councilor role, following her conviction for public funds embezzlement. This ruling heightens doubts over her 2027 presidential bid. The Rassemblement National party faces growing criticism of its economic policies as its leaders seek dialogue with business leaders.
On November 10, 2025, France's Council of State upheld the forced resignation of Marine Le Pen from her Pas-de-Calais departmental councilor position, ordered by the prefect after her March 31 conviction to four years in prison, including two served under electronic bracelet, a 100,000 euro fine, and five years of immediate ineligibility. The penalty stems from the European Parliament assistants case involving the Front National, where party staff were paid with 4 million euros of public funds from 2004 to 2016.
Le Pen challenged the measure, claiming unequal treatment between local officials and parliamentarians, but the Council of State noted that electoral code rules apply consistently, as for municipal councilors, upheld by the Constitutional Council in March. A prior October 15 appeal against the provisional enforcement of the sentence was also dismissed.
Her appeal trial is set from January 13 to February 12, 2026, with a ruling expected four months later. 'I will decide whether to run or not upon the appeal court's verdict,' Le Pen stated in an interview with Causeur, adding she would 'obviously not' run if confirmed, to avoid hindering Jordan Bardella.
Meanwhile, the Rassemblement National (RN) navigates economic tensions. Business leaders, anticipating a possible RN rise to power, fear its economic policies, labeled étatiste or socialist by figures like Gérald Darmanin ('Bardella is an economic communist') and Bruno Retailleau. At Afep, Patricia Barbizet opposes meetings with RN, while Medef's Patrick Martin met Le Pen in spring 2024. U2P's Michel Picon considers talks without enthusiasm. Sophie de Menthon attempted to reconcile RN with bosses, but criticisms linger over recent budget votes, such as refusing 15 hours of work counterparts.
Le Pen defends RN actions, stating on X: 'The RN is proud of having [...] lowered the tax burden on SMEs, mid-sized firms, and middle classes.' The party proposes 36 billion euros in savings in its counter-budget, with 50 billion in spending cuts and 31 billion in revenue increases to fund 45 billion in tax reductions. These debates highlight an 'unfinished economic aggiornamento' at RN, per Guillaume Tabard, signaling a shift in perceptions of the party, now electorally credible at 35% in 2027 polls.
