The political future of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right party, the National Rally (RN), could face significant changes depending on the outcome of a court ruling expected on Monday. This ruling concerns allegations of embezzlement of European Parliament funds, for which she and several other party officials have been accused. If convicted, Le Pen could be barred from running in the 2027 French presidential election, a prospect that public prosecutors are pushing for, demanding a fine, prison sentence, and a ban on holding political office for five years.

Friday’s ruling by France’s constitutional council, separate from Le Pen’s case, set a precedent that politicians could be immediately barred from office upon criminal conviction, which could disproportionately affect Le Pen’s eligibility. Polls show that 42% of French people wish for her to be a candidate in 2027, but the RN lacks a clear backup plan if she is immediately ruled ineligible, according to a senior party member.

Le Pen has vocally contested the charges, claiming that prosecutors are aiming for her “political death” and that barring her from office would disrespect voters’ desires and undermine democracy. She and 24 others, including party officials, employees, MEPs, and assistants, were tried last November for their alleged involvement in a fake jobs scam, where European Parliament funds were purportedly misused to pay party staff in France instead of EU staff. Both Le Pen and her co-accused have denied these allegations.

The stakes are high: any conviction that finds Le Pen guilty of embezzlement would cast significant doubt over her political future. While an appeal would delay any penalty, the impending threat of a ban on running for office in 2027 looms large over Le Pen and her party’s strategy.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/30/marine-le-pen-alleged-embezzlement-verdict