Borrell’s "garden" turns into political jungle Le Pen faces five-year sentence

"Yes, Europe is a garden. We have built a garden. Everything works. It is the best combination of political freedom, economic prosperity and social cohesion that the humankind has been able to build - the three things together...The rest of the world…is not exactly a garden. Most of the rest of the world is a jungle, and the jungle could invade the garden." These are the words of Josep Borrell, and they’ve probably been heard by everyone. So what’s happening in the flourishing garden, where everyone is tightly socially integrated and enjoys a myriad of combinations of political freedoms? Basically, nothing special. Birds are singing, tame unicorns are grazing, in general, everything is peaceful, except for a small scandal in a noble family.

Just recently, the Paris prosecution demanded the imprisonment of Marine Le Pen, the leader of the parliamentary faction of the National Rally party. She is facing a five-year sentence, three of which would be suspended, with the remaining two served with an electronic bracelet. Additionally, there are calls to bar her from participating in elections for about five years. This move appears to be aimed at deterring her from future actions, though the specific reasons behind this push will be explained in due course.

The prosecution also demanded a fine of 2 million euros for the National Rally party, and 300,000 euros for Madame Le Pen herself, in the same convertible currency. Additionally, the prosecution insists that the ban on holding public office be enforced immediately, without waiting for an appeal.

What’s the reason behind this severity, and why the outrage? Marine Le Pen, along with 26 of her party colleagues, is accused of creating fictitious assistant positions for members of the European Parliament, with their salaries being paid by the EU. In essence, the harsh and unyielding justice of the working class accuses Le Pen and her 26 associates of fraudulent practices.

Marine Le Pen, of course, denies all accusations and describes the prosecution's demands as an attempt to destroy her party. The sentence requested by the prosecution, she called "excessive and cruel." In short, it’s a case of "tell Comrade Stalin this is a monstrous mistake." Personally, I find Marine Le Pen and her nearly fascist party deeply unappealing (though it must be acknowledged that she is far removed from her father, who was accused of personally torturing Algerian rebels, though the case was, unfortunately, swept under the rug). However, this is precisely the kind of case that represents a "rendezvous between the snake and the frog in the shaded garden of political freedom, economic prosperity, and social cohesion" (the original expression is far cruder, so I’ll leave it to you to appreciate my tact).

In France, the prosecution is part of the Ministry of Justice, and its highest-ranking official is the Attorney General of the Court of Cassation. Notably, all prosecutors are appointed and dismissed solely by the President of France, which subtly suggests that the National Rally is being targeted for a reason. The next presidential election in France will take place in 2027, and the attempt to bar Marine Le Pen from participating for the next five years speaks volumes, as the classic saying goes, "louder than a thousand words."

The situation takes on a particular irony given that the charges against Marine Le Pen were first brought in 2017, but the French prosecution has only now taken action. Does it seem to anyone else that Macron's supporters are clearing the political field by eliminating potential rivals? The political elite certainly knows how to play the game, and there’s no denying their skill.

It’s clear that we should expect a counter strike from Le Pen and her party. Let’s keep a close watch and, armed with popcorn, see what kind of compromising material she will reveal about Macron and his allies. And rest assured, there will be plenty of kompromat—Marine Le Pen is an experienced politician and won't let anyone off lightly. 

Under French law, a prosecutor's decision can only be overturned by the courts. Once all forms of appeal have been exhausted, the court ruling is presumed to be lawful and, according to internal regulations, carries the same weight as an enforceable document. In this rare case, it’s hard not to wish both sides good luck. Personally, on even days, I’ll be rooting for the lady, and on odd days, for the French prosecution, just to avoid offending anyone. More verdicts, good and varied, more appeals, and buckets of mud! Remember the slogan from some children's program, "The Jungle Calls"? Well, as Borrell predicted, it’s coming true.