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.