The National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen was viewed as a frontrunner for France’s 2027 election|Vox Espana
A French court has convicted far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen of misusing European Union funds, banning her from running for public office for five years.
The ruling, which also includes a four-year prison sentence (two years suspended), disqualifies her from the 2027 presidential race unless she successfully appeals. Le Pen was viewed as a frontrunner for the election since incumbent Emmanuel Macron will reach term limits.
Le Pen and her party used $4.8 million in EU funds for non-parliamentary staff, violating rules meant for legislative assistants.
The decision has sparked political turmoil, with Le Pen condemning it as an attack on democracy. Her party’s future now rests with her protege, Jordan Bardella, as National Rally remains dominant in France’s National Assembly.