Le Pen barred from running: What's next?

Matt’s thoughts on the latest shock to rock European politics

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Another bomb has just gone off in European politics. The shock news, yesterday, that Marine Le Pen has been blocked from standing for election for five years, has sparked a global debate.

Le Pen, leader of the anti-establishment National Rally, is currently the favourite to win the presidential election in 2027, which, if the shock ruling stands after appeal, she will now be unable to contest.

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Le Pen. What Now?

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As I explain below, in our latest exclusive audio note and accompanying transcript for our paid subscribers, the ruling raises enormous and profound questions —not just for France but the growing populist revolt across the West, the health of democracy or the rise of what some call ‘post-democracy’, and an elite class that looks increasingly willing to use lawfare to shut down a revolt that, from America to Germany, it is now visibly struggling to contain and control.

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Populism is surging -- elites are lost

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