French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been banned from running for political office for five years after being found guilty of embezzling European Union funds, in a landmark ruling that shatters her chances of contesting the 2027 presidential election.
A Paris court also sentenced Le Pen, who was the frontrunner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, to four years in prison, with two years suspended. She will serve the sentence under house arrest and has been fined €100,000 ($108,000). Her lawyer confirmed that she will appeal the ruling.
Le Pen’s party, National Rally (RN), was ordered to pay €2 million in fines after being found guilty of embezzling €4.1 million from the European Parliament. The court ruled that Le Pen and her party used EU funds to pay staff who were actually working for RN in France, including her personal assistant and bodyguard.
A Blow to French Politics
Presiding judge Bénédicte de Perthuis described Le Pen’s actions as a “serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe, but especially in France.” She stated that banning her from office was necessary due to the potential “democratic public unrest” that could arise if a convicted embezzler were elected.
The ruling has already triggered strong reactions from Le Pen’s allies. RN leader Jordan Bardella called the decision an attack on democracy, while Le Pen’s niece, European lawmaker Marion Maréchal, claimed her conviction was politically motivated.
Le Pen, who entered the courtroom composed but later appeared visibly agitated as the verdict was read, left the courthouse without addressing reporters and went directly to her party’s headquarters in Paris.
Political Shockwaves and International Backlash
The verdict has sent shockwaves through French politics, effectively ending Le Pen’s bid to take the Élysée Palace at her fourth attempt in 2027. It comes at a time when Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, leaving the political landscape uncertain.
Le Pen dismissed the case as a “witch hunt,” echoing rhetoric used by former U.S. President Donald Trump in his legal battles. Her European allies, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italian far-right leader Matteo Salvini, swiftly condemned the ruling. Orbán posted “Je suis Marine” on social media, while Salvini denounced what he called political persecution.
The Kremlin also weighed in, claiming the conviction showed Europe was “trampling on democratic norms.”
A History of Financial Scandals
Le Pen’s case adds to a series of financial scandals involving high-profile French politicians. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted in 2021 of corruption and influence peddling and received a three-year sentence, two of which were suspended. He avoided prison but was required to wear a GPS-tracking ankle bracelet.
