French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political fate hangs in the balance as appeal begins
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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was in March 2025 handed a five-year ban from holding public office, with immediate effect.
PHOTO: AFP
PARIS - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen begins a crucial appeal in Paris on Jan 13 that will determine whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election, after being barred from public office over a conviction for misusing European Union funds.
Le Pen was in March 2025 handed a five-year ban from holding public office,
Judges said that Le Pen and others had between 2004 and 2016 used funds destined for work at the European Parliament to pay staff who were actually working for the party.
Le Pen said the way she and her co-defendants used the money was legitimate.
“My only line of defence for this appeal trial will be the same as during the first trial: telling the truth,” Le Pen told reporters on Jan 12.
“The case will be reset and judged by new judges,” she added. “I hope to convince them of my innocence.”
Le Pen also initially received a four-year prison sentence – two years of which were suspended and two years to be served under home detention, and a €100,000 fine. Unlike the ban, those penalties did not take effect because of her appeal.
The RN and 10 others found guilty of diverting European Parliament funds or receiving these funds have also appealed against their conviction.
The hearing, which begins on Jan 13, is due to end on Feb 12.
Le Pen’s lawyers, Mr Rodolphe Bosselut and Ms Sandra Chirac Kollarik, declined to comment ahead of the hearing.
The European Parliament’s lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve said he hoped Le Pen and her co-defendants’ convictions would be upheld, including the more than €3 million awarded in damages to the European Parliament.
The RN was also ordered to pay a €2 million fine, with half the amount suspended.
A ruling is expected before the summer, meaning Le Pen’s hopes of running in 2027 remain alive if her five-year ban is revoked or drastically curtailed.
If she cannot run, her protege, 30-year-old RN party president Jordan Bardella, is expected to step in. REUTERS
