The French far-right party of Marine Le Pen has called for a protest rally in Paris on Sunday after a court barred her from standing in France’s next presidential election.
The National Rally party expects between 8,000 and 10,000 participants, media reported, citing party officials.
Two counter-demonstrations are also planned for Sunday. France’s left-wing France Unbowed party and Greens have called for a protest against the far right at the central Place de la République square.
Meanwhile, supporters of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party plan to demonstrate outside a scheduled party meeting on the outskirts of the city.
The police said they will be out in full force during the protests.
On Monday, a court convicted Le Pen, her party and other party officials of embezzling EU funds. She was handed a partially suspended prison sentence and banned from running in elections for five years.
While the prison sentence is suspended due to an appeal by Le Pen, the election ban takes effect immediately. The next presidential election is in 2027.
Le Pen fears that even if she wins on appeal, a lengthy legal process could prevent her from standing in two years’ time.
The Paris Court of Appeal has however stated that it intends to rule by the middle of 2026.
The National Rally protest is scheduled to begin at 3 pm (1300 GMT).
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