French far-right leader Marine Le Pen faced a significant legal setback on Monday when a court convicted her of misappropriating European Union funds and immediately banned her from running for public office. The duration of the ban remains unclear, although prosecutors had requested a five-year ban. This ruling could potentially prevent Le Pen from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

The court found that Le Pen and her National Rally party misused €3 million in European Parliament funds designated for parliamentary assistants. The misuse involved paying French-based party staff between 2004 and 2016, violating EU rules.

Le Pen denied any wrongdoing and viewed the case as a politically motivated attack to undermine her career, warning that it could politically sidelined millions of French citizens who support her movement. Le Pen’s party has characterized the trial as judicial overreach, drawing parallels to the legal challenges faced by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Although Le Pen’s political future appears uncertain, there is a potential option for her to contest the ruling through an appeal process, with a retrial likely to take place in 2026, just months before the 2027 presidential election. This leaves room for her to possibly re-contest the election, though it also raises questions about the electoral strategy of her party in her absence.

Rivals including Prime Minister Francois Bayrou have expressed concern about courts dictating electoral eligibility, while RN president Jordan Bardella, previously considered a possible successor to Le Pen, might not generate the same level of electoral support.

This development underscores the complexities and legal scrutiny facing political leaders across Europe, particularly those on the right, and its implications for political representation and the electorate’s choices.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/le-pen-banned-from-office-after-embezzlement-conviction/a-72091790?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf