Marine Le Pen, the prominent figure leading France's far-right National Rally (RN), has been found guilty of misappropriating European Union funds to unlawfully finance her party's activities. This court ruling adds significant pressure on Le Pen as it could impact her ability to run in the 2027 presidential election.
Despite the verdict, the judge has yet to announce the sentence, leaving the final decision regarding any penalties uncertain. Prosecutors previously suggested that punishments should include a fine of €300,000 (approximately £250,000) along with a prison term, and they also argued for an immediate five-year ineligibility period from holding public office.
The case stems from allegations that Le Pen, alongside over 20 senior party members, hired assistants who were paid for positions intended to support the European Parliament, yet their actual work was for the National Rally. Throughout the court proceedings last year, Le Pen categorically denied any wrongdoing, describing the accusations as unfounded and asserting that she had acted within the law.
As the verdict was announced shortly after 10:00 AM local time, the reading is expected to be extensive, lasting up to two hours. The potential fallout from the conviction, including an automatic ineligibility ruling, remains to be seen, and if imposed, it would hinder her bid for the presidency during the expected appeal process.
As this story develops, updates will provide further insights into the implications for Le Pen's future and the broader political landscape in France.
