Le Pen reaffirms 2027 presidential ambitions

Marine Le Pen used her visit to New Caledonia on May 28 to reaffirm her intention to run in the 2027 presidential election, despite a court ruling that currently bars her from holding public office.

Speaking during her tour of the French overseas territory, the National Rally (RN) leader said she intends to play an active role in upcoming Paris-based consultations on the archipelago’s future, scheduled to begin in June, Caliber.Az reports via French media. 

Le Pen was sentenced on March 31 to five years of ineligibility and lost all political mandates following a conviction, which she is appealing. The ruling has cast doubt on her ability to seek the presidency for a fourth time. Nevertheless, Le Pen has maintained her candidacy for 2027 and continues to act as a central figure in the RN.

"I am a presidential candidate, and if I am elected, I will have the trust of the French people to play an important role in decision-making regarding New Caledonia," she said.

Commenting on the absence of party chair Jordan Bardella from the delegation, Le Pen explained that he is "not sufficiently familiar with the issues concerning New Caledonia." 

"I'm not sure that Jordan [Bardella], for once, is very familiar with the issues facing New Caledonia. We share our talents, shall we say," Marine Le Pen replied.

Her visit comes a year after unrest in New Caledonia sparked by a French bill to expand the voter rolls for local elections. In spring 2024, the French Parliament approved legislation allowing individuals who have resided in New Caledonia for more than 10 years to vote in regional elections. The decision provoked discontent among island residents, who took to the streets in protest. Amid the unrest, French authorities decided to deploy troops to New Caledonia. The clashes resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including two police officers.

By Sabina Mammadli