In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the French political landscape, far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been banned from holding public office for five years after being convicted of embezzling European Union funds. The ruling effectively derails her long-standing ambition to become President of France in the 2027 election.
Court Delivers Stinging Verdict
A Paris court sentenced Le Pen to a four-year prison term, with two years suspended, to be served under house arrest. In addition to the prison sentence, she was fined €100,000 (£86,000). The ban on seeking political office stands unless successfully overturned on appeal.
Le Pen’s party, National Rally (RN), was fined €2 million over a scheme that misused €4.1 million in EU funds. The presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, described the actions as a “serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe, but especially in France.”
She further added that the ban was necessary to prevent “democratic public unrest” which could ensue if someone convicted of embezzlement were elected.
Reason Behind the Ban
The core reason for Marine Le Pen’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential race stems from her misuse of public funds during her time as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
- Le Pen and several RN members falsely declared French party staff as EU parliamentary assistants – allowing them to be paid from EU funds.
- Among those mislabelled as EU employees were her personal assistant and bodyguard, who were in fact working directly for the National Rally in France.
- The fraudulent scheme lasted over 11 years and led to the misappropriation of more than €4 million.
- A total of nine MEPs and 12 parliamentary assistants were convicted alongside Le Pen.
The ruling judge said the court had to weigh two major risks:
- The risk of allowing a convicted person to seek political office, which would undermine democratic standards.
- The risk of public unrest if a leading presidential contender was removed from the race.
The severity of the misconduct and its long duration played a key role in the court’s decision to impose a ban, in what it referred to as a matter of public interest and democratic integrity.
Reaction from Political Allies and Rivals
Jordan Bardella, the current president of RN and Le Pen’s political protégé, responded with outrage, declaring: “It is not only Le Pen who is being unjustly condemned: it is French democracy that is being executed.”
Le Pen’s niece, Marion Maréchal—an MEP for the rival far-right party Reconquête—defended her aunt, saying: “This is her only guilt, and that is why she is condemned.”
Le Pen, who appeared composed upon arrival at the court, became visibly distressed as the judge outlined the details of the case. She left the courthouse shortly after sentencing and avoided questions from the press upon reaching her party headquarters in Paris.
Scope of the Embezzlement Scandal
The court found that Le Pen, along with over 20 RN members, including nine MEPs and 12 assistants, had used EU funds designated for parliamentary staff to pay individuals who were instead working for RN in France. Among them were Le Pen’s personal assistant and bodyguard. The misuse reportedly spanned more than a decade, resulting in over €4 million in misappropriated funds.
This conviction quashes Le Pen’s hopes of securing the Élysée Palace at her fourth attempt, with incumbent President Emmanuel Macron constitutionally barred from running for a third term in 2027.
International and Domestic Response
The conviction sparked widespread condemnation from Le Pen’s international allies. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted “Je suis Marine” on social media, while Italy’s Matteo Salvini labelled the verdict unjust.
The Kremlin also weighed in, accusing Europe of “trampling on democratic norms.” The case has drawn comparisons to legal proceedings in the United States involving Donald Trump. Le Pen herself echoed the language of the former US president by labelling the case a “witchhunt.”
US Vice President JD Vance and other members of the Trump-aligned administration have previously voiced support for European far-right parties, including Germany’s AfD.
Even within France, dissent emerged. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin had warned back in November that barring Le Pen from elections would be 300“profoundly shocking.”
A Broader Pattern of Political Scandal
Le Pen’s conviction adds to a growing list of French political leaders ensnared in legal troubles. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted in 2021 for corruption and influence peddling and is currently awaiting sentencing in a separate case. Although sentenced to three years in prison—two of which were suspended—Sarkozy avoided jail by wearing a GPS-tracked ankle bracelet.
Previous Far-Right Figures Banned from Presidential Runs in France
Marine Le Pen is not the first far-right figure to face disqualification. Below are some notable examples:
| Name | Party | Reason for Ban | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean-Marie Le Pen | Front National (now RN) | Multiple hate speech convictions | Banned from public events but not formally disqualified from elections |
| Alain Soral | Égalité et Réconciliation | Hate speech and Holocaust denial convictions | Barred from standing for public office |
| Dieudonné M’bala M’bala | Independent/Far-right supporter | Multiple legal convictions, including incitement to hatred | Disqualified from electoral office |
While Marine Le Pen’s ban is the most politically significant due to her front-runner status in the 2027 race, these previous incidents show that legal and ethical scrutiny continues to shape the future of far-right politics in France.
