Marine Le Pen, a prominent far-right politician in France, begins a crucial appeal trial on Tuesday that could significantly impact her political career and future candidacy. Found guilty last year of embezzling EU funds, Le Pen is currently barred from running for any public office for five years. With the 2027 presidential election on the horizon, a ruling against her could preclude her from participating in the race.
Le Pen, who maintains her innocence, asserts that she has committed no the slightest irregularity. Her party's president, Jordan Bardella, has warned that hindering her candidacy would pose serious concerns for the health of democracy in France. Bardella has confirmed he will not compete for the presidency but will aim for the position of prime minister.
The appeal at the Paris Court of Appeal is expected to last until February 12, 2024, though a decision may not surface until the summer, ahead of next year’s elections. The earlier court's ruling centered on allegations that Le Pen and over twenty party associates misallocated assistants meant for parliamentary work, ultimately leading to the misappropriation of €2.9 million of EU funds.
During the previous trial, Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis stated that Le Pen was at the heart of the system responsible for the financial misconduct. Additionally, Le Pen received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, plus a fine of €100,000, while her party was fined €2 million.
As the appeals process unfolds, Le Pen is hoping for a significant legal reversal. Several potential outcomes from the appeal could either reaffirm her ban, reduce it, or even absolve her entirely, allowing her the chance to register for the presidential race by March 2027.
The stakes of this trial are particularly high not only for Le Pen but are intertwined with the broader political landscape in France, where her party has sought to gain a foothold among mainstream politics.
