Marine Le Pen's Political Future Hangs in Balance as Key Legal Decisions Loom

The Constitutional Council's March 28 ruling on ineligibility penalties and the Paris court's March 31 judgment could reshape France's political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Marine Le Pen faces potential ineligibility for the 2027 presidential election, with a Paris court judgment on alleged misuse of European Parliament funds expected on March 31.
The Paris prosecutor has requested a five-year ineligibility penalty with immediate execution, which would bar Le Pen from running even during an appeal process.
The Constitutional Council is deliberating a separate case involving a Mayotte municipal councilor, with its March 28 decision potentially influencing legal precedents on immediate execution of penalties.
The Constitutional Council has historically opposed immediate execution for national parliamentarians, emphasizing the need for final judgments to uphold democratic principles.
Legal experts note that while the Mayotte case may not directly impact Le Pen's trial, its outcome could have broader implications for France's legal framework on electoral rights.