Sarkozy's comments in The Diary of a Prisoner come as Le Pen's party appeals to traditional right voters in an attempt to broaden its base ahead of the 2027 presidential race. The comments were in stark contrast to Sarkozy's stance against the far right when he won the presidency in 2007, and his call in 2022 for voters to back the centrist Emmanuel Macron against Le Pen in the interests of France at the last presidential election.
Marine Le Pen calls judge's decision 'political' after election ban Marine Le Pen is currently banned from standing for public office for five years following her conviction in March for embezzling European parliament funds. The ban, which includes a 'provisional execution' measure, means it applies regardless of her ongoing appeal process.
The fresh face of pro-EU liberalism swept to power the following year on a promise of radical change to bring France into the 21st century. Eight years on, with France engulfed by political crisis and with no obvious way to break the gridlock, Macron's lofty ambitions have aged poorly. Francois Bayrou, who entered politics before the president was born, has become the third prime minister to resign in the space of a year.
Marine Le Pen's party, Rassemblement National, is facing two more investigations for campaign financing and alleged misuse of European Parliament funds, following her conviction for embezzlement.