The ineligibility and prison sentence serve the interests of Emmanuel Macron and other candidates in the 2027 French presidential election, while the leading figure of the National Rally was favored in the polls, Sébastien Périmony, Member of the Africa office of the French Solidarity and Progress party, told Sputnik Africa.
Périmony suggested that this situation raises concerns about a potential extension of Macron's term, as Macron capitalizes on the public's fears.
"There is a temptation to create a climate of terror that would allow him to extend his term in one way or another. The president can extend his term in the event of war. Since coming to power, Emmanuel Macron has controlled the population through fear: fear of debt, fear of COVID, fear of Russian invasion, with his rhetoric about the war economy," the politician stated.
Marine Le Pen, aged 56, came second in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, losing to President Emmanuel Macron. Her party has seen an increase in electoral support in recent years.