A French court has disqualified Marine Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election. She was convicted of embezzling European Parliament funds and banned from holding public office immediately. This ruling marks a major political setback for her and the National Rally (RN) party.
Marine Le Pen had planned to run for president again, hoping to strengthen her position in French politics. Instead, she now faces a five-year ban from candidacy. RN members reacted angrily, calling the decision an attack on democracy. Furthermore, Some politicians on the right also criticized the ruling, saying it undermines political competition.
Jordan Bardella, RN’s 29-year-old president, may replace her as the party’s candidate. He called the ruling “a blow to democracy.” Moreover, many party members expressed frustration, believing the case was politically motivated. Le Pen, 56, also received a four-year prison sentence. The court suspended two years of her sentence, requiring her to serve the rest under house arrest with an electronic monitor. And was also, fined her €100,000, though all penalties remain on hold pending appeal.
The court found Le Pen and 24 associates guilty of using European Parliament funds for party operations in France. The scheme misallocated money meant for EU parliamentary assistants, causing a financial loss of €4.5 million. Judges ruled that RN leaders illegally redirected the funds to support party activities over 12 years.
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Le Pen can still keep her parliamentary seat in Pas-de-Calais but cannot seek re-election during her ban. She has led RN since 2011, working to soften its far-right image and gain mainstream acceptance. Her 2022 campaign saw unprecedented support, with over 13 million votes. Thereby, many believed 2027 would be her best chance at winning the presidency.
With Le Pen out, RN must find a new candidate. Bardella is popular among supporters but lacks experience in national elections. Polls suggested Le Pen could have secured up to 37% in the first round. Her success would have depended on whether rivals united against her.
The verdict drew strong reactions. Some defended the ruling, emphasizing the need for accountability. Others saw it as a political maneuver to weaken RN’s chances. International far-right leaders criticized the decision and voiced support for Le Pen. The ruling has reshaped France’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 election.
