When it all started two months ago, Marine Le Pen was “very calm”. But this Wednesday, the last day of the trial of the RN parliamentary assistants, it is quite simply his “political death”, which his lawyer’s pleading must help to avoid. The last of the defense lawyers to plead, Rodolphe Bosselut will stand up to face the magistrates from 1:30 p.m., for approximately three hours.
As the defense of the 24 other defendants did before him (in addition to the National Rally judged as a legal entity), he will request the release of his client, who has continued to protest since the opening of the trial of the assistants of RN MEPs, have not “violated any rules”.
Five years of ineligibility with provisional execution
Without convincing the prosecution. In its requisitions two weeks ago, the prosecution demanded five years in prison against the leader of the extreme right, including two years subject to change, a fine of 300,000 euros, and above all five years of ineligibility. with provisional execution – which would apply immediately even in the event of an appeal, and would jeopardize his ambitions for the 2027 presidential election.
“I think that the desire of the prosecution is to deprive the French of the ability to vote for those they want” and to “ruin the party” – against whom 4 million euros fine (including 2 firm) were required – reacted the three-time presidential candidate. Before adding on television the next day: “it is my political death that is being demanded”.
“Nothing more to add”
The court will announce the date for rendering the judgment – not for several months – on Wednesday at the end of the hearing.
Before that, President Bénédicte de Perthuis will give the floor one last time to the 25 defendants, but it could be brief: several of them have already spoken at the end of their lawyer’s pleading so as not to have to return to the hearing. Marine Le Pen indicated on Tuesday on the sidelines of the hearing that she would have “nothing more to add” after her lawyer’s pleading.
Belgium
