A French court has convicted Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, of misappropriating European funds. She was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended, and fined 100,000 euros. Additionally, she has been banned from holding any public office or standing for election for five years.
The ruling marks a significant blow for Le Pen, a prominent far-right figure in Europe and a leading contender for the 2027 French presidential election. This decision could have far-reaching consequences for French politics, potentially altering the race for President Emmanuel Macron’s succession and further weakening his government, which has already been under pressure due to months of crises.
Furthermore, the ruling may intensify global concerns among right-wing leaders regarding judicial interference in political matters.
In an interview on TF1, Le Pen denied the charges and maintained her innocence. She stated that she would appeal the decision as soon as possible, claiming that it was an attempt to prevent her from running for president. Despite being excluded from the 2027 presidential race, she expressed her determination to continue fighting for her political future.
Le Pen emphasized that millions of French citizens were outraged, as they saw the judicial system applying methods typically associated with authoritarian regimes.
The court’s decision to bar Le Pen from holding public office for five years cannot be suspended pending her appeal. However, she will retain her parliamentary seat until her term ends. In addition to the prison sentence, she faces house arrest for two years, and the fine will not be enforced until the appeal process is concluded.
American billionaire Elon Musk, an outspoken critic of judges opposing former President Donald Trump’s agenda, suggested that Le Pen’s conviction was part of an establishment conspiracy. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), accusing radical left-wing groups of manipulating the legal system to imprison their political opponents when they cannot win through democratic means.
Judge Benedict de Prétot explained that Le Pen was a central figure in a scheme to misuse over 4 million euros of European Union funds to bring far-right party staff back to France. The court also noted that the lack of remorse shown by Le Pen and other defendants contributed to the decision to prevent her from running for president.
Le Pen’s allies and far-right leaders worldwide condemned the ruling as judicial interference. Jordan Bardella, her close associate and president of RN, declared that the conviction was not just an injustice against Le Pen, but an attack on French democracy itself.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was banned from office until 2030 for abuse of power, labeled Le Pen’s conviction as an example of “left-wing judicial activity.”
In response to the widespread criticism, France’s Supreme Judicial Council expressed concern, stating that political leaders’ comments on the merits of prosecutions or sentences, especially during deliberations, are unacceptable in a democratic society.
