A political storm engulfs France as far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces serious legal consequences that could reshape the nation's political landscape.
According to The Hill, a French court convicted Le Pen of embezzlement on Monday, imposing a five-year ban from public office and a four-year prison sentence, potentially derailing her 2027 presidential aspirations.
The verdict delivered a significant blow to Le Pen's political career, with two years of her sentence to be served under house arrest and two years suspended. The National Rally party leader promptly denounced the ruling as politically motivated and announced her intention to appeal the decision.
The 56-year-old politician, who previously challenged President Emmanuel Macron in both 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, left the courtroom before the final sentencing. Her sudden departure, marked by the clicking of heels on hardwood floors, left many courtroom observers stunned.
The ruling threatens to disrupt Le Pen's anticipated fourth presidential run in 2027. While she maintains her position as a National Assembly lawmaker, the electoral ineligibility takes immediate effect, though the house arrest remains suspended during the appeal process.
Jordan Bardella, Le Pen's 29-year-old protégé, emerged as a potential replacement candidate for the 2027 election. Even some political opponents, including conservative lawmaker Laurent Wauquiez, expressed concern about the verdict's impact on French democracy.
The case centered on the misuse of European Union parliamentary funds between 2004 and 2016. Le Pen and 24 other party officials were accused of diverting money intended for EU parliamentary aides to pay party staff instead.
The chief judge identified Le Pen as a central figure in what was described as a systematic effort to misappropriate EU parliament funds. The court found that while the defendants didn't personally enrich themselves, their actions constituted a "democratic bypass."
Le Pen spoke out against the verdict, stating:
There are millions of French people who believe in me, millions of French people who trust me. For 30 years I've been fighting for you, and for 30 years I've been fighting against injustice, so I'm going to continue fighting.
The court's decision extended beyond Le Pen, with guilty verdicts handed down to eight other current or former party members who served as European Parliament lawmakers. Additionally, 12 parliamentary aides and three others received convictions, with only one defendant acquitted.
The ruling particularly impacts the National Rally party, formerly known as the National Front. The party's growing electoral support in recent years now faces a significant setback with its leader's conviction.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán quickly expressed solidarity with Le Pen through social media, posting "Je suis Marine!" on X. The show of support highlights the international implications of the verdict.
Marine Le Pen faces a pivotal moment in her political career following the French court's conviction for embezzling European Union funds. The ruling imposes a five-year ban from public office and a four-year prison sentence, with two years under house arrest and two suspended. While she maintains her current position as a National Assembly lawmaker, the verdict threatens to prevent her participation in the 2027 presidential election unless successfully appealed, marking a significant shift in France's political landscape.
