Overview
- The Paris Court of Appeal hears the case from January 13 to February 12, re‑trying Le Pen, the Rassemblement National and 11 others over alleged diversion of more than €3.2 million in European Parliament funds from 2004 to 2016.
- Le Pen’s first‑instance sentence imposed four years in prison including two years firm, a €100,000 fine and five years of ineligibility with immediate effect, which currently blocks a 2027 presidential bid.
- Her lawyers have shifted to a technical defense stressing ambiguous EU rules, tolerated parliamentary practices and lack of proven intent, seeking at minimum to lift the immediate enforcement or to reduce the ineligibility.
- Possible outcomes include acquittal, a reduced or modified ineligibility that could restore eligibility, or a further appeal to the Cour de cassation, which the top judge said could rule “if possible” before 2027.
- On the eve of the hearing, Bardella voiced full support and warned of democratic harm if she is barred, while Le Pen said she is hopeful and plans to attend much of the trial as the party publicly projects unity and quietly prepares a Bardella fallback.