French far-right presidential candidate convicted of embezzlement, faces political ban

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been barred from holding political office for five years after a Paris court found her guilty of misusing EU funds.

The ruling, which also includes a four-year prison sentence—two years of which are suspended—and a fine of 100,000 euros, deals a severe blow to her chances of contesting the 2027 presidential race.

Le Pen, who had been considered a frontrunner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, can appeal the decision, but the ban on her candidacy remains in effect unless overturned by a higher court. Her party, National Rally (RN), has also been hit with a 2 million euro penalty over the 4.1 million euro it was accused of embezzling.

The court’s presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, described Le Pen’s actions as a “serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe, but especially in France.” The immediate prohibition on her holding office, she explained, was due to the potential for “democratic public unrest” should someone convicted of such offenses be elected.

However, the verdict itself has sparked controversy. Jordan Bardella, who succeeded Le Pen as president of RN, criticized the ruling, stating that it was not just an attack on Le Pen but on “French democracy.” Meanwhile, Le Pen’s niece and Member of the European Parliament, Marion Maréchal, defended her aunt, claiming that her only “guilt” was leading their movement toward victory.

Le Pen, who initially appeared calm upon arriving at the courthouse, grew visibly frustrated as the court detailed the financial misconduct. As she left, she refused to speak to journalists before heading to RN’s headquarters in Paris.

Widespread Political Fallout

The case revolves around accusations that Le Pen and other RN members improperly allocated EU funds to pay party employees in France under the guise of parliamentary assistants. The court determined that over 11 years, Le Pen and her colleagues misused more than 4 million euros in European funds.

This ruling effectively derails her hopes of securing the presidency in 2027, an election in which Macron is ineligible to run due to term limits. Le Pen has consistently dismissed the case as a politically motivated “witch hunt,” echoing rhetoric used by  US President Donald Trump in response to his own legal challenges.

The conviction has prompted strong reactions from Le Pen’s allies across Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted “Je suis Marine” on social media, while Italian far-right leader Matteo Salvini also denounced the ruling. The Kremlin weighed in as well, claiming the case demonstrated how Europe was “trampling on democratic norms.”

Even some figures within the French political establishment had previously expressed reservations about barring Le Pen from elections. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin remarked in November that such an outcome would be “profoundly shocking.”