Navigating Political Strategy: Normalization vs. Populism

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Célia Belin, head of ECFR’s Paris office, to dive into the seismic news shaking French politics: the conviction of Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN). A French court has found Le Pen guilty of misusing European Parliament funds, sentencing her to a five-year ban from public office and effectively sidelining her from France’s 2027 presidential race.

Mark and Célia discuss the fallout in France—from the RN’s shock and unpreparedness for the court case outcome—to the broader ripples across Europe, where other populist leaders face similar legal challenges. Is this a triumph for judicial accountability? Or a risky move that could fuel populist backlash?

This podcast was recorded on 1 April 2025.

Slip of Le Pen: How the conviction of the French politician will fuel Europe’s far right by Célia Bélin, Camille Lons and Pawel Zerka.

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