French judge Benedicte de Perthuis is under police protection after barring far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in France’s 2027 presidential election. De Perthuis, who led the three-judge panel that found Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds and imposed a five-year ban from public office, received death threats and had her home address shared online following the ruling.
According to a source with direct knowledge, de Perthuis now has police protection at both her home and workplace. She has also been targeted on social media, with her photo widely circulated on platforms like X and far-right websites. Paris police confirmed an ongoing investigation, while the Paris prosecutor’s office has yet to comment.
The threats have sparked national debate about the rising wave of populist discontent and its impact on France’s judiciary. A recent Odoxa poll showed that 90% of Le Pen’s National Rally supporters believe the court was unfair to her, although 53% of French citizens believe she received a fair trial.
Before her conviction, Le Pen was the leading contender for the 2027 election. She has denied encouraging any backlash against the judiciary and publicly condemned the threats. Vowing to fight the ruling through legal channels, she has accused the French establishment of undermining democracy by interfering with political processes.
Christophe Soulard, France’s top judge, warned that such threats mark a "worrying moment" for democracy, emphasizing that personal attacks on judges endanger the justice system itself. Political leaders, including Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin and members of the judiciary, have expressed strong support for de Perthuis. Meanwhile, opposition figure Mathilde Panot criticized far-right tactics and said no judge should require police protection.
The case highlights increasing global tensions over the role of courts in political controversies.