The leader of France’s far-right Rassemblement National, Marine Le Pen, has been convicted of misuse of public funds by a Paris court and banned from holding public office for five years with immediate effect. The ruling casts serious doubt on her candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.

Key Details of the Verdict

* Le Pen and eight co-defendants were found guilty of fraudulent use of EU parliamentary funds to pay party staff in France instead of legitimate parliamentary aides.

* The court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two years under electronic monitoring, along with a €100,000 fine.

* The ruling emphasized the risk of repeat offenses and the threat to public order if a convicted individual were allowed to run for France’s highest office.

Immediate Consequences and Future Prospects

* The ban on public office takes effect immediately, meaning Le Pen cannot run in any elections, including the 2027 presidential race.

* Le Pen has announced plans to appeal the ruling and could also challenge it before the French Constitutional Council, arguing it violates the right to free elections enshrined in the Constitution.

* If the appeals process drags on for years, the immediate enforcement of the ban remains a major roadblock for her candidacy. The Constitutional Council, however, typically rules within a few months.

* If Le Pen’s appeal fails, her party, Rassemblement National (RN), will need a new candidate for 2027. The leading contender is her 29-year-old deputy, Jordan Bardella, who was not implicated in the case.

Political Reactions and Implications

* RN officials strongly condemned the ruling, with Bardella claiming that “French democracy has been assassinated.”

* Right-wing leaders across Europe, including Viktor Orbán (Hungary) and Matteo Salvini (Italy), expressed solidarity with Le Pen. Elon Musk also weighed in, likening the situation to legal actions against Donald Trump.

* French opposition politicians reacted with mixed views—some celebrated the verdict, while others warned of political instability and increased public distrust.

* Despite the conviction, political analysts suggest that Le Pen’s core voter base may rally behind her, framing her as a victim of the political establishment.

* The ruling is a severe blow to RN’s long-standing efforts to present itself as a legitimate, corruption-free alternative to traditional French parties.

The political landscape in France is shifting rapidly, and the outcome of Le Pen’s appeals and RN’s next steps will shape the country’s electoral future.

Sources:

The Local - France, Al Jazeera, France24, South China Morning Post, The Guardian, Haaretz, ABC News, Salon.com, Daily Mail - World News.

Last Friday, Greenland’s political landscape shifted dramatically as four of the five parliamentary parties reached a coalition agreement, just as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived on the island.

* Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit (Democrats)—a center-right liberal party with cautious views on independence—will become the new Prime Minister.

* The coalition includes the Inuit Ataqatigiit (Community of Inuit) led by former PM Múte Bourup Egede, who will take over as Finance Minister, along with the Siumut (Forward) social democrats and Atassut (Solidarity), the only pro-Danish party.

* Naleraq, the party advocating for immediate independence, remains in opposition.

🇺🇸 U.S. Interest in Greenland: Trump’s Strategic Vision

The visit of J.D. Vance and his delegation, including Second Lady Usha Vance, to the U.S. airbase in Pituffik was widely seen as a provocation. President Donald Trump has reiterated his ambition to bring Greenland under U.S. control for strategic reasons.

* Trump called Greenland a "necessity for global security and freedom", citing rising interest from China and Russia.

* Vance criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland, claiming it has invested too little and implying the U.S. would be a better guardian of its future.

* While he ruled out military intervention, Vance suggested that once independent, Greenland could voluntarily align with the U.S.

🌍 Fierce Backlash from Greenland and Denmark

* Danish PM Mette Frederiksen condemned the visit, calling U.S. pressure “unacceptable” and reaffirming that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”

* Incoming PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the visit “disrespectful to an ally” and vowed to defend Greenland’s sovereignty:

"We don’t want to be Americans. We don’t want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders."

* Due to public protests, Usha Vance’s planned cultural tour was cut short to a brief visit to the U.S. base, as no locals agreed to meet her.

* EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Greenland, pledging Europe’s support as a “partner that treats them as equals.”

🏔️ Russia Weighs In

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that Trump’s Greenland ambitions were "absurd", reminding the world that the U.S. has pursued the island since the 1860s.

💰 Geopolitics, Resources, and Greenland’s Future

Greenland holds immense strategic value, serving as a key site for U.S. missile defense systems and Arctic trade routes. The island is also rich in natural resources, including gas, oil, and rare earth minerals—fueling global competition for influence.

With a new government in place and external pressure mounting, Greenland faces critical decisions about its future sovereignty and international alliances.