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PARIS — A Paris court has ruled that Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally party, is barred from holding public office for five years following a conviction related to the misuse of European Parliament funds. The decision took immediate effect and significantly impacts her eligibility to run in the 2027 French presidential election.
Le Pen confirmed plans to appeal the ruling, though under French law, she remains ineligible unless a higher court overturns the verdict. Appeals in such cases can take several years, leaving her political future uncertain ahead of the next presidential cycle.
Court’s Rationale for the Ban
In its written judgment, the three-judge panel stated that allowing a candidate convicted of embezzlement to seek office would present a “major disruption to democratic public order.” The court emphasized that public officials must be held to the same legal standards as any citizen and concluded that the penalty was “proportionate” and aligned with the constitutional goal of maintaining trust in political life.
The judges further cited the importance of preserving voter confidence and ensuring that no individual receives preferential treatment due to political status.
Legal and Political Context
Le Pen is not the first French political figure to face such a sanction. Similar bans have been issued in the past to high-profile politicians, including:
- François Fillon, a former prime minister, who received a 10-year ineligibility ruling in a fraud case tied to the 2017 presidential campaign.
- Alain Juppé, also a former prime minister, who was barred for one year in a 2004 corruption case.
- Jérôme Cahuzac, a former budget minister, who received a five-year ban in 2018 for tax fraud.
- Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine Le Pen’s father, who was barred for one year after a physical altercation during a 1997 campaign.
The ruling against Marine Le Pen follows the Constitutional Council’s recent confirmation that immediate ineligibility rulings are constitutional, though judges are advised to consider the impact on electoral fairness and proportionality when applying such penalties.
Response from Le Pen and Allies
Le Pen described the ruling as a “democratic scandal” during remarks in the National Assembly. She accused the judicial system of targeting her party due to its electoral success.
“The system brought out the nuclear bomb,” she said. “It’s obviously because we’re about to win the elections.”
Le Pen also referenced a viral 2013 video in which she called for lifetime bans on public office for politicians convicted of embezzlement—statements now resurfacing in French media.
International political figures, particularly from European right-wing parties, responded to the decision. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted “Je suis Marine” (“I am Marine”) on social media, while leaders such as Geert Wilders of the Netherlands and Matteo Salvini of Italy also voiced their support.
U.S. Reaction
President Donald Trump commented on the ruling Monday, calling it a “very big deal” and drawing a parallel to political events in the United States.
“She was the leading candidate,” he said. “It sounds very much like this country.”
Trump emphasized that many had not expected Le Pen to be convicted and expressed interest in the case’s political ramifications.
Next Steps
Marine Le Pen has said she will seek to appeal the decision and may request a review by France’s Constitutional Council. Until a final decision is reached, she remains disqualified from holding or running for elected office in France.
Further developments are expected as legal proceedings continue and political parties prepare for the 2027 election cycle.
