Marine Le Pen will be able to participate in French presidential elections
The Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the guilt of Marine Le Pen, leader of the parliamentary faction of the French far-right "National Rally" party, for the unlawful use of European Parliament funds, but softened her previously imposed sentence. This may allow the politician to participate in the French presidential elections in 2027, writes Reuters.
The court reduced Marine Le Pen's ban from holding elective office from five years to 45 months, of which 30 months are suspended. Thus, the actual ban is 15 months, and formally Le Pen will be able to run in the presidential elections.
The prison sentence was also reduced — from four to three years. Two years are suspended, and the politician must serve another year under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. Earlier, Le Pen stated that she would not participate in the elections if the court upheld such a punishment.
The court confirmed the findings made back in 2025: Marine Le Pen and eight other MEPs from the "National Rally" unlawfully used more than four million euros of European Parliament funds. According to investigation materials, from 2004 to 2016, these funds were used to pay party employees instead of MEP assistants.
After the court's decision was announced, Le Pen left the building without comment. She had previously called the verdict politically motivated. In case of her refusal to participate in the elections, the 30-year-old party chairman Jordan Bardella could become the candidate from the "National Rally."
"My son's phone had a Russian flag and coat of arms sticker. That's where it all started." The father of a Baranavichy schoolboy told how his son was bullied by classmates 40
"My son's phone had a Russian flag and coat of arms sticker. That's where it all started." The father of a Baranavichy schoolboy told how his son was bullied by classmates
"The text of the oath was read twice then." Statkevich shared memories of the oath of Belarusian servicemen in 1992 on the Day of the Battle of Orsha 1818
"The text of the oath was read twice then." Statkevich shared memories of the oath of Belarusian servicemen in 1992 on the Day of the Battle of Orsha 18
Vital from under Vileyka, who set fire to a house with his own children, enlisted in the Russian army. And disappeared on his very first combat mission 1212
Comments