In the small French town of Montargis, Marine Le Pen's decision to launch a presidential bid has stirred both support and skepticism among residents, reflecting deep divisions over her legal troubles and far-right policies.
Jean-Antoine, a 76-year-old retired decorator, welcomed her return.
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"Even the judges said she didn't personally profit from the money, it was for her party," he said.
"All politicians in France have always been schemers, it's just a fact of life."
His late father fled Spain's civil war and joined the French resistance, but Jean-Antoine now believes immigration must stop.
He feels voters for the National Rally (RN) will overlook the embezzlement conviction.
Le Pen's conviction last year barred her from office until the 2030s, but appeal judges shortened the ban, allowing her to run in next year's presidential election.
The court upheld her guilt in a €2.8 million fake-jobs scheme but ordered her to wear an electronic tag with a curfew.
She plans to appeal to France's highest court, putting the sentence on hold during her campaign.
Snap polls show Le Pen's popularity high, positioning her strongly for the two-round vote in April and May.
She previously lost to Emmanuel Macron in 2017 and 2022.
Montargis, 75 miles south of Paris, is known for its canals and pralines.
It elected an RN mayor earlier this year, part of a wave where the party tripled its town halls.
