A French court has ruled that Marine Le Pen is ineligible to run for office with immediate effect after finding her guilty in an embezzlement case involving the misuse of European Parliament funds. The verdict, delivered on Monday, is a major blow to the far-right leader’s political ambitions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Presiding judge Bénédicte de Perthuis stated that the ban was “necessary” as it served both a punitive and preventive function. Le Pen, who was present in court, appeared stunned as the judge outlined how her party had siphoned off EU parliamentary funds for its own benefit. At one point, she was seen shaking her head and whispering “incredible.”
Le Pen was convicted alongside eight other current or former members of her National Rally party, all of whom previously served as European Parliament lawmakers. An additional 12 aides were also found guilty of assisting in the fraudulent scheme, which saw parliamentary funds used to pay party staff rather than EU-approved aides.
Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from office. While Le Pen can appeal the ruling, the ban remains in place unless overturned. She has described the decision as her “political death,” arguing it effectively disenfranchises the millions who support her party.
With Le Pen barred, her 29-year-old protégé Jordan Bardella is now seen as the National Rally’s most likely candidate for 2027.
