A French court has ruled against far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her National Rally (RN) party, finding her guilty of misappropriating European Union funds. Le Pen had previously warned that a guilty ruling could lead to her “political death.” Although the court found that Le Pen and the RN misused €3 million ($3.25 million) in EU funds meant for parliamentary assistants between 2004 and 2016, her sentence and possible ban from running for office in 2027 have yet to be announced. Prosecutors are seeking a five-year ban from public office if found guilty, which could prevent her from participating in the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen denies any wrongdoing and has called the case a political attack. Some of her rivals, including Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, have expressed concern over courts deciding who can run for office.

Le Pen’s political career is now at stake. Prosecutors have asked for an immediate five-year ban from public office if she is found guilty. This could prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election, where she leads as a front-runner. Le Pen’s party has accused the trial of being an example of judicial overreach, similar to what US President Donald Trump had said about his legal troubles. Despite the accusations, Le Pen believes that the judges will not go as far as to effectively end her political career.

The trial has raised questions about who could replace Le Pen if she is disqualified. An acquittal would help Le Pen bring the National Rally closer to the mainstream, distancing it from the racist reputation of its former iteration, the National Front. If Le Pen is disqualified, RN president Jordan Bardella, 29, is expected to take her place. However, he is not expected to match her electoral appeal. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the National Rally party and France’s political landscape.