Leading French Candidate Marine Le Pen Banned From Holding Public Office for Five Years


Posted originally on CTH on March 31, 2025 | Sundance 

Marine Le Pen in France, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Imran Khan in Pakistan, Matteo Salvini in Italy, Donald Trump in America, Calin Georgescu in Romania.  These are the latest populist candidates targeted by Lawfare in “democratic” nations and blocked from office.  Amid the group, only President Trump defeated the globalist alignment against him.

Marine Le Pen and 24 other officials were accused to paying staff for the National Rally party with EU commission funds intended to pay European Union parliamentary aides, a claimed violation of the European Union regulations.  Le Pen was a representative to the EU and is currently the leading candidate in France.

Marine Le Pen and her co-defendants were not accused of personally benefiting from the EU financial process and denied any wrongdoing as it related to paying staff and parliamentary aides.  However, a French court ruled she did pay for party staff with the wrong funds and her punishment is 2 years of house arrest and a five-year ban from office.

REUTERS – […] The court sentenced Le Pen to two years’ imprisonment under house arrest, but it was the political ramifications of ineligibility that dealt the biggest blow to her foreseeable political future.

Le Pen and 24 other officials from the National Rally were accused of having used money intended for EU parliamentary aides to pay staff who worked for the party between 2004 and 2016, in violation of the 27-nation bloc’s regulations. Le Pen and her co-defendants denied wrongdoing.

Le Pen has enjoyed growing support

Le Pen, 56, was runner-up to President Emmanuel Macron in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, and her party’s electoral support has grown in recent years.

During the nine-week trial that took place in late 2024, she argued that ineligibility “would have the effect of depriving me of being a presidential candidate” and disenfranchise her supporters. (more)

VIA AP – […] Although she can appeal the house arrest sentence, which she could ultimately serve while wearing an electronic ankle bracelet, the ban on running for office is “with immediate effect,” independent of whether she files an appeal or not.

An appeal ruling that would overturn the ban could restore her hopes of standing. But with the election just two years away, time is running out and there’s no guarantee that an appeals court would rule more favorably.

[…] Monday’s ruling came amid record ratings in opinion polls for Le Pen, who hoped her decade-long efforts to steer her party towards the mainstream would finally deliver at the next presidential election. (more)

Zelenskyy, With EU Support, Continues Looking for Any Excuse to Derail or Avoid Peace Talks – Rejects Mineral Deal, Demands EU Ascension and Security Guarantees


Posted originally on CTH on March 30, 2025 | Sundance

The dynamic is obvious to any intellectually honest observer, which is to say U.S. and Western media disqualify themselves and continue pushing preferred EU narratives.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the latest U.S. proposal for a minerals deal that would create a partnership to repay the United States for ongoing financial support.  According to Zelenskyy, the deal to share in oil, gas and mineral revenue would amount to debt that would disqualify them from EU membership due to unstable financials.

However, it is important for U.S. readers to remember the U.S. aid package already underway pays for the entire operation of the Ukraine federal spending liabilities, including pensions, government worker paychecks and everything normally within a govt budget.  U.S. taxpayers are not only subsidizing the war with munitions, but we are also subsidizing the government operation and citizens of Ukraine.  Within that spending there is MASSIVE corruption ongoing.

When Zelensky rejects (1) the terms of a “minerals deal,” (2) rejects U.N peacekeepers, (3) rejects the predicate for peace that Russia will retain part of Eastern Ukraine geography, and (4) rejects the offered security guarantees, he is also rejecting the idea that American taxpayers should be repaid for all their support.

Almost all of these rejections appear based on Zelensky’s belief the U.K, France and European allies can replace any support lost by President Trump changing his approach toward Ukraine.  Zelensky, who has not been elected, is developing a reputation for being so difficult, so demanding, so spoiled and temperamental that neither Vladimir Putin nor President Trump wants to deal with him.

Against this backdrop, the ceasefire deal is tenuous at best.  Russia, who previously said they did not expect Zelensky to stand by any ceasefire proposal, continues to launch airstrikes against Ukraine as Zelensky continues to prove Vladimir Putin correct by rejecting U.S. proposed terms for a ceasefire – while claiming Russia is not abiding.

Western Ukrainians are influenced more by the propaganda from the European Union, Brussels, France and the U.K, than they are from NATO military.

The support for war amid the EU member states is directly proportional to the severity of their leftist, socialist and WEF tendencies.  The more anti-nationalist the nation state is, the more likely they support the Ukraine war.

As this larger dynamic continues, one can imagine President Trump frustratingly accepting the need for Vladimir Putin to go even harder against Ukraine.  The current interim terms include both Ukraine and Russia not targeting energy infrastructure; however, both nations appear to have -at least collaterally- violated that concept.

If a targeted Russian strike takes down a municipal power pole, Zelensky calls it an attack on “energy infrastructure.”  If a Russian missile hits the street and disrupts a natural gas line, Zelensky repeats the claim.  As the narrative is pushed, if a Ukranian soldier is recharging his cell phone at the time he is hit, energy producing infrastructure has been targeted.

The bottom line is becoming very obvious.  NATO countries and the western media who support them, demand President Trump must maintain support for Ukraine, as Zelensky rejects any proposed terms from President Trump to end the conflict.

Russia keeps attacking.  A belligerent Volodymyr Zelensky, who will not accept any terms for negotiated peace (so far), continues playing the victim and saying Russia is violating terms needed for peace.   NATO and the EU alliance continue telling Zelensky to keep fighting; Zelensky rejects anything that stops the fighting; NATO and the EU alliance continue demanding that President Trump support Zelensky.  That’s the current cycle.

The CIA, as viewed through their spokespeople at the Washington Post, continue snarking at President Trump for not ending the war on Day #1; while the same CIA keeps organizing the Ukraine/EU forces to attack Russia, stimulating a continuation of the war they snark at Trump for not stopping.

Toward that end, the CIA carveouts in the EU are refining their North American strategy to install an ideology favorable to their global interventionist efforts on our northern border, Canada.  Prime Minister Mark Carney represents the interests of the World Economic Forum, the European Union and the traditional CIA control mechanisms.

BRUSSELS — In rejecting Russia’s demand to lift Western sanctions in exchange for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, European leaders are showing they could still be players in Washington’s talks.

Europe is seeking to retain its leverage as President Donald Trump moves to strike a deal with Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. But some of Russia’s key demands — including sanctions relief and the end of military aid to Ukraine — require European buy-in. (more)

If the pretending were to end, I mean if the BIG UGLY really were to start to come into play, President Trump might announce a complete removal of U.S. sanctions against Russia.  That would trigger simultaneous ‘splodey heads in DC and throughout Western media.  However, I doubt the casual American political observer would understand the reason, and that makes it too politically challenging for President Trump to accomplish.

The retention of pretending is frustrating and obviously something President Trump is trying to eliminate. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are doing a great job so far assisting that effort.

England Bans NINJA Swords!


Posted originally on Rumble By The Salty Cracker on: Mar 228, 2025 at 200 pm EST

Prime Minister Carney Declares Canada’s “Relationship with America is Over”


Posted originally on CTH onMarch 28, 2025 | Sundance

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech to the nation notifying the Canadian people that the era of an economic and military collaborative relationship between the United States and Canada is over.

As the majority of Canadians cheer, the Prime Minister said that Canada as a free independent and sovereign nation will now embrace its connections to the United Kingdon and European Union and seek to replace their national dependency on the United States by severing ties in North America and entering a new era of close relations with Great Britain and Europe.

When questioned if Canada would join the European Union, a seemingly natural fit for the ideologically aligned country, Prime Minister Carney said, “nothing is off the table.”   In a rather remarkable end to the confrontation, the Carney says the economic and military ties between the USA and Canada are officially declared severed.  WATCH:

“We as Canadians, have agency”… What does that even mean?

.

President Trump asked Prime Minister Trudeau and the Canadian government to close the border to narcotraffickers and shutdown the pipeline of Chinese fentanyl.  The Canadian govt chose not to and Prime Minister Mark Carney continues the refusal.

The entire Canadian border enforcement system, agents, support personnel, the entire operation for 5,000-mile border consists of 300 people.  Not exactly a strong commitment to border security.

President Trump asked the Canadian government to remove trade tariffs, remove non-tariff trade barriers, and initiate reciprocal trade. The Canadian govt chose not to.

President Trump asked the Canadian govt to stop being a pass-through for Chinese goods that violates the USMCA. The Canadian govt chose not to.

President Trump asked the Canadian govt to open access to U.S. banks and financial services. The Canadian govt said no.

President Trump asked the Canadian govt to live up to the NATO commitment of 2.5% GDP spending on military defense. The Canadian govt said no, you will defend us free of charge and just accept it.

Now, members of the Canadian government are saying they want to “inflict the maximum amount of pain on Americans possible.”

Canada destroyed most of their heavy industry and chases the climate change hoax in all economic policies. Canada is destroying itself, no help from the UK or EU is needed.

Canada imported Steel and Aluminum from China, then shipped it into the USA, undercutting U.S. industry and trying to weaken U.S. heavy industry to match their own level of dependence.  Eventually, President Trump said ENOUGH!

Ukrainian Leader Zelensky Says Putin, “Will Die Soon. That’s a Fact.”


Published originally on Rumble By The Gateway Pundit on Mar 28, 2025 at 1:00 am EST

Hungary Overpowered – EU to Send $22B to Ukraine


Posted originally on Mar 25, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

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The European Union has a “new normal” for bloc resolutions that no longer require unanimous votes. Hungary adamantly rejects the proposal to send $22 billion (20 billion euros) to Ukraine, therefore, the bloc instantaneously changed the rules and determined that unanimity is no longer a requirement.

“The statement on Ukraine today will be issued as an annex on behalf of the 26,” said one senior EU diplomat, granted anonymity to discuss Thursday’s closed-door talks. “This is the new normal. And it is useful when it comes to political intent. Maybe down the line though we will encounter other problems.”

Hungarian politician Péter Szijjártó said that his nation will not support “a pro-war stance” and vehemently believes that an additional aid package will only worsen matters. “We will not allow ourselves to be dragged into this, we will not allow Hungarian taxpayers’ money to be used to finance arms shipments to Ukraine. Instead, we support peace negotiations,” he wrote on Facebook. He also noted that the United States had offered Ukraine the option to initiate a ceasefire deal that Zelensky infamously turned down.

Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are now calling for “concrete proposals on how to decisively advance Ukraine’s accession process” to join the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she believes Ukraine could gain access to the bloc before 2030. In the meantime, Ukraine would like to enjoy the benefits that come along with being an EU member such as duty-free trade deals that allow them to undercut other members in the bloc.

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The EU is heading toward failure because it was never designed as a true economic union but rather as a political project driven by bureaucratic elites who have little understanding of free markets or economic cycles. From its inception, the EU has been obsessed with centralizing power in Brussels, stripping individual member states of their sovereignty while imposing unrealistic economic policies that are now leading to its unraveling.

Hungary, under Viktor Orban, has taken a different path from the rest of the EU. It has resisted Brussels’ mandates on immigration, energy, and foreign policy. Orbán has maintained strong economic ties with Russia and China, recognizing that Hungary’s energy security depends on Russian oil and gas. Yet, Brussels has the power to override elected officials such as Orban and dismiss the democratic process entirely. A few unelected bureaucrats in Brussels now have ultimate power over the lives of the entirety of Europe—precisely why they created the union in the first place.

Installed Prime Minister Mark Carney Schedules Canadian SNAP Election for April 28th


Posted originally on CTH on March 24, 2025 | Sundance

Interim installed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed the snap election for Canada is scheduled for April 28, 2025.

Given that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre generally sealed his fate with criticism of President Trump while aligning himself with a surging patriotic-leftist movement, it is now expected that Mark Carney will win the election.

Politico has an article about the dynamic underway, and the following quotes are noteworthy:

CANADA – […] Trump has even taken credit for turning the Liberals’ fortunes around.

“Before I got involved and totally changed the election — which I don’t care about, probably, it’s our advantage, actually — but the Conservative was leading against, I call him Governor Trudeau. The conservative was leading by 35 points,” he said Friday, while exaggerating the polls.

“I think Canada is a place, like a lot of other places, if you have a good candidate, the candidate is going to work,” Trump said.

[…] Canadians have responded to Trump’s intimidation tactics with an outburst of patriotism. They are canceling spring break plans, buying made-in-Canada products, damaging Teslas and booing “The Star Spangled Banner” at professional sporting events.

Carney’s campaign slogan is “Canada Strong” while Poilievre’s is “Canada First.”

[…] In a recent interview with Fox News, the president was asked about how his recent treatment toward Canada appears to be helping the Liberal party.

I don’t care,” he said. “I think it’s easier to deal, actually, with a liberal and maybe they’re going to win, but I don’t really care.

Trump went on to say Poilievre “is stupidly no friend of mine” because of the “negative things” he has said about the president.

Poilievre has tried to frame the comments as proof that Trump is endorsing Carney, while the Conservative leader attempts to revamp his strategy to meet the moment. (read more)

From the perspective of President Trump, the main asset in the arsenal of the Canadian tariffs is “energy.”  As a consequence, having a strong “climate change” prime minister up there will mitigate any use of the energy sector and help the strategic North American economic strategy of President Trump.

{GO DEEP}

Boycotts by Canadians are generally welcomed in the U.S. hospitality industry, not coincidentally an industry of great familiarity to President Trump.   Canada simply doesn’t have any tariff weapons in their arsenal for countervailing duties.

The latest strategy by the Canadian government is to rent billboards in various red states, trying to convince Americans they need Canada more than they need Donald Trump’s reciprocity tariffs.  It is a dubious proposition at best, and a little funny all things considered.  But hey, the feels. [Prompted]

Ep 3601b – Evil Is Embedded Globally, [DS] Being Dismantled In Each Country, US Is The First Domino


Posted originally on Rumble By X 22 Report on: Mar 21, 2025 at 7:15 pm EST

Zelenskyy Rejects Idea of U.N. Peacekeepers in Ukraine – Yet Two Years Ago He Wanted Them


Posted originally on CTH onMarch 23, 2025 | Sundance

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the proposal to use United Nations (U.N) peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire operation.   Two years ago, Zelenskyy was asking for U.N peacekeepers [SEE HEREso, what changed?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is asking for “security guarantees” during a ceasefire.  The U.N peacekeepers are proposed as a potential peacekeeping group to provide those “security guarantees” he says are so important.  Zelenskyy rejects the idea, seemingly demanding that NATO put their troops on the ground.   This guy is something else.

UKRAINE – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to deploy United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. According to Zelensky, such a move would not provide effective security guarantees and could ultimately benefit Russia.

During a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine requires a long-term protection strategy, not a temporary solution that could jeopardize the country’s sovereignty. “We will not accept a scenario that risks giving an advantage to Russia or limiting our freedom to defend ourselves,” Zelensky stated. (more)

Interview: Global Trends by Martin Armstrong


Posted originally on Mar 23, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

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Global Trends By Martin Armstrong : ‘It’s Being Driven Largely By Underlying Economics’

Exclusive interview with Martin A. Armstrong by Matt Ehret, Piero Messina and Lorenzo Maria Pacini.

Economist Martin Armstrong speaks again with SouthFront. In his interview, Armstrong offers some insights into the main issues of the geopolitical and economic agenda…

Read more: https://southfront.press/global-trends-by-martin-armstrong-its-being-driven-largely-by-underlying-economics/