Normalization has given way to chaos. France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party has returned to its most radical times, before the name change, before the makeover, before the spokespeople with meticulously crafted talking points on television sets. Stunned by the judgment handed down on Monday, March 31, against her, Marine Le Pen is back in the saddle and launching an assault on the so-called "system." The populist circus promises to last until the summer of 2026, when the appeal decision is due, as announced by the Paris Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

Using the media, the Assemblée Nationale, challenging the prime minister, attacking judges, planning street rallies: Le Pen and her troops have decided to put the "system" under maximum pressure in hopes of obtaining a different decision on appeal next year, one that would allow her to run for president for the fourth time. The offensive also has the merit of diverting attention from the core of the case, namely the misappropriation of European taxpayer funds for the benefit of her party and close associates, amounting to more than €4 million.

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