Summary
France is preparing for rival rallies after Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling €4m in EU funds and barred from running for president in 2027.
The far-right National Rally called for mass protests against what it labels an attack on democracy, while leftwing and centrist groups plan gatherings supporting the judiciary.
Le Pen, sentenced to four years in prison and a five-year public office ban, is appealing.
Polls show most French citizens support the conviction, though the RN claims political motivation and seeks to rally its base.
Why isn’t this a lifetime ban? If you engage in fraud or any other crime of corruption, abuse of power, etc, you shouldn’t be allowed to be a part of the government again for life.