Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro criticized a court ruling that banned French far-right leader Marine Le Pen from seeking public office for five years, calling it "left-wing judicial activism." Le Pen's disqualification from the 2027 presidential race is contingent upon her successfully appealing the decision.
Bolsonaro stated, "This ruling is clearly left-wing judicial activism. Wherever the right-wing is present, the left and the system will work to get their opponents out of the game." He further described the situation as "pure lawfare" and noted that this trend appears to be spreading globally, suggesting that the left has found an effective means to maintain power through judicial activism.
Allies in France and far-right leaders from various European countries, including Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, condemned the ruling as an example of judicial overreach. In response, France's High Council of the Judiciary expressed concern over what it termed the "virulent reactions" stemming from the ruling. They emphasized that personal threats against magistrates and political statements regarding the prosecution must not be tolerated in a democratic society, urging moderation.
Supporters of the ruling defended it as a necessary affirmation of judicial independence and the rule of law after a judge convicted Le Pen of misappropriating European Union funds for her party. The judge characterized Le Pen as being "at the heart" of the scheme.
Meanwhile, Brazil's Supreme Court recently ruled against Bolsonaro for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government following his loss in the 2022 election. If found guilty in ongoing court proceedings, he faces a potential lengthy prison sentence. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the case is politically motivated. In 2023, he received a ban until 2030 for abuse of power related to actions taken before the 2022 elections, when he summoned ambassadors to challenge the legitimacy of Brazil's voting system.