Bénédicte de Perthuis, the judge who sentenced Le Pen for embezzling EU funds and barred her from running in France’s 2027 presidential election, was placed under police protection on Monday night over alleged death threats she received, domestic press reported.
There is a law saying that for corrupted politicians a temporary election ban is a possible sentence. This women and her accomplice stole 4 millions Euro, that’s a lot of money. Not allowing her to be elected for 5 year sounds like a way to protect taxpayer money for money. It’s also not unique to politicians, French law can also ban someone from managing a company (Executive who stole money, or ignore regulation leading to serious accidents). What’s the alternative a longer jail sentence meaning she’ll actually go to jail ? (and campaigning from jail sounds like a great way to miss an election). if I steal 4 millions, I’d get jail-time not just an election ban.
Moreover, Le Pen, and a lot of right wingers, are the one who pushed law for harsher punishment and appeal not postponing the sentence so they’re getting a taste of their own medecine.
Finally, While a dozen of Rassemblement National politicians are banned for election, the party isn’t banned. It’s not the first not the last time that a politicians who could have run for president ends-up found guilty of stealing taxpayer money leading to not being able to run for election. There is a long range between a serious potential candidate and a president. if the RN doesn’t play too much Game of Throne to get the candidate position, they may even come in a stronger position for 2027 election