French Prime Minister Calls Trump’s Backing of Le Pen 'Interference'
US President Donald Trump has called on Paris to “free” Marine Le Pen, the former leader of the conservative National Rally party who was recently convicted. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has expressed that Trump’s public support for...
TroibNews 
US President Donald Trump has called on Paris to “free” Marine Le Pen, the former leader of the conservative National Rally party who was recently convicted.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has expressed that Trump’s public support for Le Pen is akin to interference in France's domestic politics. Le Pen received a prison sentence for embezzlement earlier this week following her role as a three-time presidential candidate representing the right-wing National Rally.
In a Thursday post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Le Pen as a victim of a “witch hunt,” asserting that her prosecution was due to her political beliefs. “FREE MARINE LE PEN!” he wrote.
When interviewed by Le Parisien magazine, Bayrou was asked whether he viewed Trump's remarks as interference in French affairs. He responded, “Yes, and interference has become the law of the world.”
Bayrou elaborated on the interconnectedness of global political debates, noting, “There are no longer any borders for major political debates. What happens at home is relayed to Washington. And we are rightly moved by what is happening in Türkiye, for example,” referencing the ongoing anti-government protests in Turkey.
Reflecting on the broader implications, he stated, “For three-quarters of a century … we have believed that our conception of democracy and the rule of law would irresistibly impose itself everywhere on the planet. The alliance around the United States was just that: the alliance of freedoms.”
When asked if this belief remains true, Bayrou replied, “We are suddenly discovering that the world has changed.” He continued, “On several continents, some are trying to create an illiberal international of indecency, which has decided that human rights, the rule of law, and democratic understanding between nations should be a thing of the past.”
Le Pen was sentenced by a Paris court to four years in prison, with two years suspended and the other two to be served under house arrest. Additionally, she received a five-year ban from holding political office, effectively barring her from the 2027 presidential race. Prosecutors alleged that Le Pen misused EU funds intended for her European Parliament aides to pay for staff in France. She has denied any wrongdoing and plans to appeal the conviction.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has expressed that Trump’s public support for Le Pen is akin to interference in France's domestic politics. Le Pen received a prison sentence for embezzlement earlier this week following her role as a three-time presidential candidate representing the right-wing National Rally.
In a Thursday post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Le Pen as a victim of a “witch hunt,” asserting that her prosecution was due to her political beliefs. “FREE MARINE LE PEN!” he wrote.
When interviewed by Le Parisien magazine, Bayrou was asked whether he viewed Trump's remarks as interference in French affairs. He responded, “Yes, and interference has become the law of the world.”
Bayrou elaborated on the interconnectedness of global political debates, noting, “There are no longer any borders for major political debates. What happens at home is relayed to Washington. And we are rightly moved by what is happening in Türkiye, for example,” referencing the ongoing anti-government protests in Turkey.
Reflecting on the broader implications, he stated, “For three-quarters of a century … we have believed that our conception of democracy and the rule of law would irresistibly impose itself everywhere on the planet. The alliance around the United States was just that: the alliance of freedoms.”
When asked if this belief remains true, Bayrou replied, “We are suddenly discovering that the world has changed.” He continued, “On several continents, some are trying to create an illiberal international of indecency, which has decided that human rights, the rule of law, and democratic understanding between nations should be a thing of the past.”
Le Pen was sentenced by a Paris court to four years in prison, with two years suspended and the other two to be served under house arrest. Additionally, she received a five-year ban from holding political office, effectively barring her from the 2027 presidential race. Prosecutors alleged that Le Pen misused EU funds intended for her European Parliament aides to pay for staff in France. She has denied any wrongdoing and plans to appeal the conviction.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
