In Moscow, where the Kremlin is accused of crushing the Russian democratic opposition, president Vladimir Putin Dmitry Pieskov stated that the conviction was a "degradation of democratic standards".
Marine Le Pen and her co-defendants were accused of illegally moving European Parliament funds to pay for organization workers who seldom (or never) dealt with cases in Brussels or Strasbourg. The court estimated that The accused embezzled over EUR 4 million (about PLN 17 million), of which EUR 474,000 is the amount for which Le Pen was personally liable as a MEP.
— Overall, our observations of the European capitals indicate that absolutely They do not head crossing the borders of democracy in the political process “Doggy said.
Le Pen has ties to Russia through a controversial bank debt which the National Union (then called the National Front) drew in 2014. The organization did not announce its repayment until 2023. The spectrum of the debt hung over the organization for years, and Le Pen was forced to defy charges that she was close to Moscow.
The French court besides fined Le Pen with a fine of EUR 100 1000 (about PLN 420,000) and sentenced her to 4 years in prison, of which 2 were suspended, on EU funds. The judges have not ruled that these penalties should enter into force immediately, so may be delayed by a possible appeal.
“All ahead, my friend!”
In Hungary, Italy and the Netherlands, any of the most prominent European right-wingers responded with anger.
“Je suis Marine!” declared Viktor Orban, whose Fidesz organization in the Europarliamentate sits with the Le Pen National Unity in the Patriotic faction.
"In Paris, they sentenced Marine Le Pen and want to exclude her from political life. This is simply a mediocre movie that we besides see in another countries like Romania," wrote Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, referring to the Romanian authorities' decision to cancel the first circular of last year's presidential election and exclusion of pro-Russian ultranationalist Calin Georgescu from the replay in May.
“We will not be intimidated, we will not stop: full ahead, friend!” added Salvini.
‘I am shocked An incredibly harsh judgement against Marine Le Pen“ — the head of the Dutch far right Wilders, whose organization won the November 2023 national election, helping tilt Holland to the right. "I will support her and believe in her 100% and believe that she will win the appeal and become president of France".
Santiago Abascal, head of the far-right Spanish Vox organization stressed: “They will not win in silenced the voice of the French people.”
