Marine Le Pen, the French leader of far-right party Marine Le Pen, and eight MEPs were convicted for embezzling funds from the European Union. This has brought uncertainty to Le Pen’s career in politics just two years ahead of 2027 Presidential election.
A French court ruled that Le Pen’s party and herself had misappropriated millions of euros in EU funds intended for assistants to parliament between 2004 and 2016
Le Pen has been barred from holding public office by a court ruling, but it is unclear for how long and whether the order will take immediate effect.
Le Pen left the courtroom, before the sentence was read, despite the fact that she could be seen shaking his head during the entire proceedings.
This verdict could upend France’s political scene, in which Le Pen is a major figure. She has dominated the French landscape for almost two decades.
Court finds systematic abuse of EU funding
Le Pen, along with other European Parliament members from her now-named National Rally party (RN), is accused of improperly diverting EU funds.
The multi-year investigation revealed at least forty contracts that were fraudulent, and the money was used for party expenses instead of official work in parliament.
According to Reuters Judge Benedicte de Perthuis who gave the verdict stated: “It was established by the judge that all of these people worked for the party and that their (EU legislator) had not assigned them any tasks.”
Investigations also revealed that this was not an administrative error… rather, it was embezzlement in the context of a system set up to cut the costs for the party.
Le Pen is personally charged with being responsible for EUR3 Million in fraudulent payments.
She could be sentenced to up to 10 year in prison, and face a ban on politics lasting five years.
Le Pen was in the courtroom and reacted visibly frustrated when the judge read out the decision.
She maintains her innocence and calls the case an attack based on political motives to undermine her ambitions for president.
Elections in 2027 could be shaped by legal battle
Le Pen has promised to appeal the decision, which could delay any final decisions and possibly push a trial re-trial until 2026 — just months before the 2020 presidential election.
The French prosecution had originally sought a five-year immediate ban on public service, which would have prevented her from standing in the 2027 elections if it was upheld.
The party could be slowed down by a prolonged court battle, as they try to take advantage of the growing nationalist sentiment in France.
Le Pen has positioned herself in the mainstream as an alternative to President Emmanuel Macron’s centre-right government.
Political analysts have compared Le Pen’s case to the former US president Donald Trump who has described his legal problems as political witch-hunts.
Le Pen’s party has used similar rhetoric. They claim judicial overreach, and they accuse the French courts for trying to marginalize a significant political force.
Who else?
If Le Pen is disqualified to run in 2027, then the National Rally could be forced into relying on Jordan Bardella as its replacement candidate.
Bardella (29), a rising star in the Le Pen party, lacks Le Pen’s national appeal.
A final conviction would reshape France’s political right. While Le Pen’s claims to legitimacy as a politician are strengthened by an acquittal, it could also reshape the French political left.
Le Pen’s opponents, such as Prime Minister Francoise Bayrou, expressed concern over the courts determining election outcomes.
The case is still in progress, and the coming months will determine whether Le Pen continues to be a candidate or if France’s far-right needs a new leader.
Marine Le Pen, convicted for embezzling EU funds and banned from office. This article may change as new developments unfold.
