Marine Le Pen reignited her bid for the French presidency on Wednesday, ending months of uncertainty following her conviction for embezzlement and a temporary ban from running for office. The veteran far-right leader launched her campaign in La Flèche, a small town southwest of Paris, shortly after an appeals court upheld her conviction but lifted the disqualification, allowing her to enter the April 2026 presidential race.

Le Pen’s return marks a significant shift in the political landscape less than a year before the election to choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron, who is barred by term limits from seeking re-election. The announcement came as a surprise, as Le Pen had previously indicated she would withdraw if her legal challenges left her unable to campaign freely. Accompanied by her protégé Jordan Bardella, she addressed a crowd marked by both enthusiastic supporters and vocal opponents, underscoring the deep divisions within the country.

The conviction stems from allegations that Le Pen’s party, the National Rally, misused millions of euros in European Union funds intended for salaries of party employees working in the European Parliament. Instead, court findings indicated the money was diverted to pay staff for domestic political activities unrelated to EU business. Le Pen denies any personal financial gain and plans to appeal the conviction to France’s highest court.

Le Pen’s campaign launch in La Flèche, a rural town without a train station and recently governed by a National Rally mayor, was seen as a symbolic gesture to highlight her party’s stronghold in areas perceived as neglected by the central government. The location also reinforced her continued influence within the party after a period in which Jordan Bardella had appeared as the likely standard-bearer.

Opinion polls currently position Le Pen ahead of other candidates, including centrists Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, left-wing contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and conservative Bruno Retailleau. Analysts note her experience and name recognition give her an edge over the relatively inexperienced Bardella, but the legal controversy hangs over her campaign.

Le Pen’s rivals have criticized her decision to run despite the conviction, accusing her of hypocrisy given her earlier political platform centered on anti-corruption and law and order. Jean-François Copé, a conservative mayor, described her as an “intellectual and moral fraud,” while far-left leader Manuel Bompard dismissed her statements as contradictory. Conversely, some opponents, including former Prime Minister Philippe, have emphasized the importance of allowing voters to decide the outcome at the ballot box rather than through judicial intervention.

Pending her appeal, Le Pen will campaign without restrictions such as an electronic monitoring bracelet or police reporting requirements. She and her supporters argue that continued legal proceedings amount to an attempt by unelected authorities to interfere with democratic choice. Le Pen’s campaign website, launched quickly after the court ruling, carries the slogan “For France, rebirth,” signaling her ambition to rally voters behind a message of renewal.

At her launch event, protesters chanted slogans demanding accountability and justice, but her core supporters remained steadfast. Among them was Farida Franville, who downplayed the conviction by suggesting corruption extends beyond Le Pen’s circle. Le Pen’s re-entry into the race has injected fresh uncertainty into an already crowded and competitive presidential contest.