French Court Bans Marine Le Pen from Seeking Office for Five Years Over Embezzlement
In a significant setback for Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, a French court on Monday declared her ineligible to hold public office for five years due to embezzlement charges. This ruling comes into immediate effect and poses a severe threat to Le Pen’s aspirations for the 2027 French presidential race, despite her right to appeal the decision.
Le Pen, who showed no immediate reaction to the verdict as it was announced, left the Paris courtroom without addressing the press, departing in a car. Throughout the proceedings, her agitation increased as the judge detailed how her party had used European Parliament funds for its own benefit, with her whispering “incredible” at one point.
The court also found eight other current or former members of Le Pen’s party guilty, all of whom have served as European Parliament lawmakers. The verdict could result in up to 10 years in prison for those convicted, though an appeal could lead to a retrial.
Potential ‘Political Death’ for Le Pen
This sentence effectively bars Le Pen from the 2027 presidential run, a scenario she has previously referred to as a "political death." The ruling reflects a significant defeat for Le Pen and her party, the National Rally (previously known as the National Front), as it not only condemns her and eight other politicians but also convicts 12 more individuals who served as parliamentary aides.
The judge determined that Le Pen was central to a "system" where EU parliamentary funds were unlawfully redirected to support her party between 2004 and 2016. While admitting the embezzlement didn’t personally enrich Le Pen or the co-defendants, the ruling describes the act as a "democratic bypass" that deceives both the European Parliament and voters.
Le Pen’s Growing Support and Electoral Impact
Despite these legal challenges, Le Pen, who has been a prominent political figure in France, finishing as the runner-up to President Emmanuel Macron in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, continues to enjoy growing support. Her party’s influence has also seen a rise in recent years.
During her trial, Le Pen argued that the ineligibility ruling would undeniably prevent her from running for president and would deprive her supporters of their preferred candidate, potentially affecting millions of French people who align with her movement. She contended that adapting the work of EU-funded aides to meet the needs of lawmakers, including engaging in party-related political work, was an acceptable practice.
The court hearings also brought to light that some of the EU funds were used to pay for Le Pen’s bodyguard and personal assistant. Prosecutors had requested a two-year prison sentence and a five-year ban on holding public office for Le Pen, alleging her involvement in orchestrating the embezzlement scheme to benefit her party.
Le Pen expressed her belief that the prosecution’s motive was primarily to prevent her from running for president.
With the potential succession of her party’s leadership passing to Jordan Bardella, Le Pen’s 29-year-old protégé who took over the party’s helm in 2021, the political future for Le Pen and her followers remains uncertain amidst this legal and political turmoil.
