France’s Marine Le Pen deemed guilty in EU funds misuse case

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s right-wing National Rally (RN) party, has been deemed guilty of misappropriating European Union funds to finance her party on Monday. The conviction could prevent her from running in the 2027 French presidential election.

Le Pen, along with over 20 other senior RN figures, was accused of hiring staff who were paid by the European Parliament but worked on party-related matters instead of parliamentary duties.

Prosecutors had recommended a penalty that included a €300,000 fine ($324.5), a potential prison sentence, and a five-year ban from holding public office.

Additionally, they argued that the ineligibility should take effect immediately, without delay for an appeal.

Final sentence yet to be announced

The judge has not yet announced the final sentence. However, the court may decide not to impose an automatic ineligibility or impose a shorter period, allowing Le Pen the possibility of running in the 2027 election while her appeal is pending.

Throughout the trial, Le Pen firmly denied any wrongdoing, insisting she had not committed any “irregularity.”