The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: What French Politics Means for Europe and the United States
Apr 10, 2025
Tara Varma, a Fellow at the Brookings Institution and expert in French politics, joins to discuss shifting political tides in France. She highlights Marine Le Pen's recent embezzlement conviction and its surprising impact on the 2027 presidential race. Varma explains how President Macron is navigating European defense amid rising transatlantic tensions and Trump’s tariffs. Their conversation delves into the challenges posed by far-right movements and the urgent need for European unity in the face of these political dynamics.
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Le Pen's Conviction
- Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, was convicted of embezzlement and banned from politics.
- This undermines her efforts to normalize the party, which has roots in pro-Nazi and Holocaust denial rhetoric.
Breaking with Tradition
- Le Pen's conviction breaks with the tradition of isolating the far right.
- Her response, delegitimizing the courts, contradicts her normalization strategy and aligns with global far-right rhetoric.
Blatant Embezzlement
- Le Pen's embezzlement was blatant, with parliamentary assistants rarely working in Brussels.
- This case highlights the misuse of EU funds and the RN's broader Eurosceptic stance.