Protesters Force Le Pen to Cut Short Campaign Launch in Western France

Marine Le Pen was forced to shorten her presidential campaign launch in La Flèche, Sarthe, on July 8, 2026, when roughly 100 protesters chanted "Rends l'argent"—"Give back the money"—referencing her conviction for misusing EU funds. Gendarmes pushed back demonstrators to allow Le Pen and Rassemblement National president Jordan Bardella to continue. The disruption occurred hours after an appeals court upheld her conviction but shortened her ban on holding office, clearing her path to run in 2027.