A French appeals court has upheld the embezzlement conviction of Marine Le Pen, a former presidential candidate from the conservative National Rally party. However, the court has also reduced her ban on running for office, meaning she could potentially enter the race for president in 2027. As part of her sentence, she must wear an ankle monitor for one year.
Le Pen, along with other members of her party, was found guilty in 2025 for misusing millions in European Union funds. They were accused of paying aides to perform domestic political tasks while claiming those expenses as legitimate EU costs. Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Initially, she received a five-year sentence with two years suspended and three years under house arrest. The appeals court has now shortened her sentence to three years, with two years suspended, allowing her to serve one year of house arrest. Alongside this, her ban on running for office has been reduced to 45 months, starting from her initial sentencing in March 2025.
This newly adjusted ruling allows Le Pen to start her campaign for political office immediately. However, if she decides to run for president, she would have to do so while serving her house arrest, which she has suggested would make campaigning challenging.
The court found that Le Pen and her associates misused around €2.8 million intended for public funds, which they are required to repay. While Le Pen acknowledged that some staff worked on national matters, she insists it was not part of any scheme but rather a mistake.
Following the ruling, Le Pen headed to the National Rally headquarters to discuss the party’s next steps and is expected to speak to the public soon. Her legal team expressed a mix of satisfaction and concern regarding the court’s decision, indicating they would provide further statements later.
Le Pen’s legal troubles are part of a broader trend among right-wing figures worldwide facing similar legal challenges.
