In a notable shift within the French political landscape, senior officials from the National Rally, the most prominent far-right party in the country, have signaled a potential challenge to Prime Minister François Bayrou's government.

This consideration follows Marine Le Pen's recent conviction for embezzlement, which has resulted in her being barred from holding public office for a period of five years.

National Rally President Jordan Bardella and Vice President Sébastien Chenu have both publicly expressed that the party is assessing its options regarding Prime Minister Bayrou, just four months after National Rally supported efforts by left-wing parties to remove his predecessor, Michel Barnier.

Bardella and Chenu have criticized Bayrou for what they perceive as a failure to address critical party priorities, including the reduction of energy prices and the establishment of a proportional voting system.

During a public broadcast, Bardella remarked on the government’s inefficacy, stating, "this government isn’t doing much," while Chenu accused Bayrou of evading responsibilities and exhausting members of parliament.

These comments reflect a strategic positioning by the National Rally amid Le Pen's legal challenges, which could have significant implications for her political future and the party's goals in the upcoming 2027 presidential elections.

Following her conviction, National Rally officials have intensified their rhetoric, framing the legal actions against Le Pen as a politically motivated attack.

Internal discussions within pro-government factions had previously indicated concerns that Le Pen's legal issues might provoke the National Rally to take a more confrontational stance towards Bayrou's minority government, which relies on opposition support to sustain its hold on power.

As the largest party in the National Assembly, the actions of the National Rally are crucial to the stability of the government.

Despite their criticisms, the National Rally has not yet supported motions of no confidence against Bayrou, although there are fears that their political maneuvers could create governance complications.

Analysts have observed parallels between Le Pen’s latest legal troubles and earlier vulnerabilities faced by Barnier's government, particularly during periods of unrest following legal scrutiny of Le Pen at that time.

Moreover, within the context of shifting legislative demands, Chenu indicated that ongoing discussions regarding pensions could provide grounds for a potential no-confidence vote against the government, especially given Bayrou's earlier intentions to revisit pension negotiations before retracting.

Should the government be forced to collapse, it would place additional pressure on President Emmanuel Macron to call for new elections, all amid a backdrop of ongoing legislative disputes and fragmentation across the French political spectrum.

It is also noteworthy that Le Pen’s conviction precludes her from seeking reelection, thereby removing a significant figure from the forthcoming political contests.