French Court to Deliver Verdict on Marine Le Pen’s EU Funds Embezzlement Case

The decision could bar Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election, with implications for France's political landscape.

Marine Le Pen faces a court ruling today on charges of embezzling EU funds by misusing parliamentary assistant salaries to pay party staff in France.
Prosecutors have requested a five-year prison sentence (three years suspended) and an immediate five-year ban on running for public office.
If enforced, the ban would prevent Le Pen from participating in the 2027 presidential election, where she is considered a major contender.
The court may delay the enforcement of the ban until appeals are resolved, potentially allowing Le Pen to run in 2027.
Le Pen denies all allegations, framing the trial as politically motivated and arguing it undermines the democratic rights of her supporters.