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Paris Court Sets January 2026 Appeal in Le Pen EU Funds Case

The expedited schedule targets a summer 2026 ruling that may determine her place on the 2027 ballot.

Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) political party, and French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen talk to journalists as they leave after a meeting with the French Prime Minister at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has vowed to pursue her presidential ambitions, saying she is the target of a 'witch hunt'

Overview

  • The Paris Court of Appeal scheduled Marine Le Pen’s appeal for January 13 to February 12, 2026.
  • Le Pen was convicted in March of embezzling European Parliament funds and received a four-year sentence, a €100,000 fine, and a five-year ban from holding office.
  • Her prison term and fine are frozen during the appeal, but the five-year ban would block a 2027 run unless altered on appeal.
  • Prosecutors sought an early-2026 hearing to keep judicial debate away from key election dates, and judges accelerated the timetable with a decision expected by summer 2026.
  • National Rally positions Jordan Bardella as a potential fallback as political tensions rise, with a confidence vote threatening Prime Minister François Bayrou and calls for new elections.