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Le Pen, 56, showed no visible reaction as the Paris court delivered its verdict, which also found eight other current or former members of her National Rally (RN) party guilty....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>
A French court on Monday convicted far-right leader Marine Le Pen of embezzling public funds in a case that could bar her from running in the 2027 presidential election, dealing a major blow to her political future.
Le Pen, 56, showed no visible reaction as the Paris court delivered its verdict, which also found eight other current or former members of her National Rally (RN) party guilty.
AP reports that the group, which included former European Parliament lawmakers, faces up to 10 years in prison, though all can appeal.
The most consequential ruling, however, may be the court’s decision on whether to declare Le Pen ineligible for office “with immediate effect”—even if she appeals. Such a move would prevent her from challenging for the presidency in 2027, a scenario she has called a “political death.”
The court ruled that Le Pen’s party operated a system to divert European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016, using money intended for parliamentary aides to pay party staff—a violation of EU rules. Twelve other aides were also convicted.
Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison term and a five-year ban from public office for Le Pen, who denied wrongdoing. She argued that adapting aides’ work to lawmakers’ needs—including political tasks—was common practice.
However, evidence showed EU funds were used to pay her personal bodyguard, who once worked for her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party’s founder.
Le Pen, who lost to President Emmanuel Macron in 2017 and 2022, warned that disqualifying her would disenfranchise millions of voters.
“There are 11 million people who voted for the movement I represent,” she told the court in late 2024. “Millions of French people would see themselves deprived of their candidate.”
If barred, her likely successor is Jordan Bardella, 29, her protégé and current RN president. The verdict marks a significant setback for the far-right, which has gained ground in recent elections.
Le Pen’s legal team is expected to appeal, prolonging the battle over her eligibility…CONTINUE READING>>
