Local Reactions to Le Pen’s Verdict in Hénin-Beaumont
When the verdict from a Paris criminal court was broadcasted across the screens of the Café de la Paix in Hénin-Beaumont, it ignited waves of outrage and disappointment among patrons, echoing the sentiments expressed by Marine Le Pen herself prior to the decision. The far-right political leader was found guilty of embezzlement, receiving a sentence of four years in prison—two of which are suspended, while the remaining two will be served under house arrest. Additionally, she was hit with a hefty fine exceeding $100,000.
However, the most significant blow was the ruling that bars her from holding public office for a duration of five years, effectively disqualifying her from competing in France’s 2027 presidential election. For many residents of this town, Le Pen is not merely the leader of the National Rally or a three-time candidate for the presidency; she is also their elected representative in the lower house of Parliament.
“I am utterly disgusted,” expressed Jean-Marc Sergheraert, a 70-year-old retired charity manager, as he gazed up at a large television screen displaying Le Pen’s response. She vehemently denounced the ruling as politically motivated and unjust, claiming that her sentence would be enacted even while she appeals the decision—something that is not typically the case in France.
As the political landscape shifts, the implications of this verdict will resonate not only within the National Rally but also across the broader spectrum of French politics.
