French “far-right” leader Marine Le Pen has been barred from running for political office for five years after being found guilty of embezzling European Union funds. The ruling deals a blow to Le Pen’s ambitions of running for the French presidency in 2027.
Le Pen, who is leading in opinion polls and considered the frontrunner for the next election, was also sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended to be served under house arrest, and fined €100,000 ($108,000). Her lawyer announced plans to appeal the verdict.
The court found that Le Pen, her RN party, and more than 20 of its members had misused over €4 million of European Parliament funds over 11 years. They were convicted of employing four party workers, including Le Pen’s personal assistant and bodyguard, as parliamentary assistants, despite the staff performing party-related tasks in France.
Jordan Bardella, who succeeded Le Pen as president of the National Rally (RN) party, condemned the decision, stating that it was not only Le Pen who was “unjustly condemned” but also “French democracy.” Marion Maréchal, Le Pen’s niece and a Member of the European Parliament from a rival far-right party, defended her aunt, saying, “This is her only guilt, and that is why she is condemned.”
Le Pen had dismissed the case as a “witch hunt,” using language similar to that employed by U.S. President Trump when criticizing legal actions against him. Her right-wing European allies quickly voiced their support, with the Kremlin describing the conviction as evidence of Europe “trampling on democratic norms.”
The Trump administration has also expressed concern over perceived attacks on far-right politicians in Europe, including the recent decision to re-run the Romanian presidential election after a far-right candidate’s unexpected victory.
