- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a Paris court's appeal decision regarding a ban from standing in the 2027 presidential election.
- The ban originates from a March 2025 conviction for misusing over €4 million in European Parliament funds, which were allegedly used to pay her party's employees instead of parliamentary assistants.
- Le Pen was initially sentenced to a five-year ban from elected office, a four-year prison term (partially suspended and to be served in home detention), and a €100,000 fine, with her party also receiving a €2 million fine.
- She has consistently denied the charges, claiming the case is a political witch-hunt and arguing that the funds were used legitimately.
- The appeal court's ruling could either uphold the ban, effectively ruling her out of the 2027 race and potentially paving the way for Jordan Bardella, or soften the sentence, which might allow her to pursue a fourth presidential bid.
IN FULL
