During an aggressive speech to the crowd on Sunday, Le Pen again claimed that the verdict was politically motivated and that her fight was for “truth and justice.” Le Pen called the European Union’s anti-fraud unit, OLAF, a “totalitarian organism” and pinned the investigations into her party on the Parliament’s former social democratic president, Martin Schulz.
“The system’s only purpose is to stay in place, no matter the cost,” Le Pen said.
Boasting support from other far-right politicians in Europe, Le Pen said that “in all European countries, national leaders are prosecuted,” pointing to her Italian ally Matteo Salvini. She also said that “uncomfortable candidates are prevented from running,” a reference to Romanian ultrantionalist Călin Georgescu.
According to organizers of Sunday’s rally, some 5,000 to 8,000 people were expected to attend the event, soberly titled “Save Democracy,” with a fleet of 20 buses and nine mini-buses to bring in more supporters. During his speech, National Rally President Jordan Bardella claimed 10,000 people were present.
Yet the Place Vauban, located directly in front of the golden dome of Les Invalides — a monument dedicated to France’s military history and the final resting place of Emperor Napoleon I — was sparsely filled, and the true attendance figure was likely much lower.
Such public gatherings are uncommon for the French far right outside election cycles. National Rally Vice President Sébastien Chenu said Saturday that the Paris event was “not a protest against judges.”
