A far-right leader is employing a Trumpian strategy for a potential path to the Élysée, with unpredictable consequences. In a notable shift from her past stance, Marine Le Pen, who once vehemently condemned politicians guilty of financial misconduct, now faces her own conviction. Despite a court of appeal upholding her conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds, she has declared her candidacy for the far-right National Rally (RN) party in next year's presidential race. This decision marks the most significant gamble of her political career, defying speculation that she would pass the leadership to Jordan Bardella. The court's ruling allowed her to pursue a fourth bid for the Élysée by reducing an eligibility ban to time already served. However, it also mandated an electronic monitoring tag, which would have restricted her campaigning hours. This sanction was circumvented by her appeal to France's highest court, the cour de cassation. The timing of this appeal's hearing, relative to the presidential election's first round in April, remains uncertain.