French PM criticizes US president’s endorsement of convicted politician as interference in French affairs.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has denounced US President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of Marine Le Pen as interference in France’s internal politics. Le Pen, former leader of the National Rally party and a three-time presidential candidate, was recently sentenced to prison for embezzlement.
Trump, in a Truth Social post on Thursday, described Le Pen as a victim of a “witch hunt,” alleging her prosecution stemmed from her political beliefs. He exclaimed, “FREE MARINE LE PEN!”
In a Le Parisien magazine interview published Saturday, Bayrou was questioned on whether he considered Trump’s remarks as meddling in French domestic matters.
“Yes, and interference has become the norm,” the prime minister responded.
Bayrou continued, “Major political debates now transcend borders. Events at home resonate in Washington. Similarly, we are rightly concerned about developments in Türkiye, for example,” alluding to the ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Istanbul and other major Turkish cities.
“For the past seventy-five years, we have believed that our understanding of democracy and the rule of law would inevitably spread worldwide. The alliance with the United States was founded on this very principle: the alliance of freedoms,” Bayrou stated.
When asked if this was “no longer true,” Bayrou responded, “We are now realizing that the world has changed.”
He further argued, “Across several continents, some are attempting to establish an illiberal international of impropriety, which rejects human rights, the rule of law, and democratic understanding between nations.”
On Monday, a Paris court sentenced Le Pen to a four-year prison term, with two years suspended. The remaining two years will be served under house arrest. She also received a five-year ban from holding political office, effectively preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election.
Prosecutors allege that Le Pen misused EU funds intended for parliamentary aides to pay for staff in France. She has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to appeal the verdict.
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