French Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Disqualified from Public Office for Five Years
Paris (AP) – A French court on Monday convicted Marine Le Pen of embezzlement and barred her from holding public office for five years. This verdict is a major blow to her presidential ambitions.
Le Pen called the ruling “political” and claimed it was aimed at preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election. In an interview with French TV channel TF1, she stated that millions of French citizens were “outraged” by the decision.
Major Political Implications
This verdict has significantly impacted the political landscape. Marine Le Pen, who was a strong contender for the 2027 presidential race, may now be out of the running. She has announced plans to appeal the ruling, but the appeals process could take a long time.
Le Pen was also sentenced to four years in prison, with two years under house arrest and two years suspended.
Political Reactions
Following the ruling, her party’s president, Jordan Bardella, described the verdict as “the execution of French democracy.” Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his support by posting “Je suis Marine!” (I am Marine) on social media.
See Jordan Bardella’s Statement
Is Le Pen’s Political Career Over?
With this conviction, Le Pen’s chances of running in the 2027 presidential election appear slim unless her appeal succeeds. Without her, the party may have to look for a new leader, with Jordan Bardella being a likely candidate.
According to the court, Le Pen and 24 other party members misused European parliamentary funds between 2004 and 2016. The ruling called it a “democratic fraud.”
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AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
