Le Pen was stripped of eligibility at first instance over the misuse of European Parliament aide salaries. The appeals outcome is seen as loosening that shackle.

Her camp argues any further appeal suspends the ban's effect, and is gearing up in earnest — talk has even turned to the unprecedented sight of a candidate campaigning with an electronic tag.

The National Rally is rallying its base while centrist and left-wing camps eyeing the post-Macron era scramble to respond.

Amid the far right's advance across Europe, Le Pen's return is a variable bearing directly on EU integration, migration and Ukraine aid.

A candidacy carrying live judicial risk also poses hard questions for French democracy. Expect a chess match of court dates and campaign calendars until the election.