Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), has been convicted of embezzlement and barred from holding public office for five years, effectively ending her 2027 presidential ambitions. The ruling also sentenced her to four years in prison (two suspended, two under house arrest) and a €100,000 fine for misusing over €4 million in European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016.
Je serai ce soir l'invitée du 20h de TF1.
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) March 31, 2025
Le Pen, along with 24 co-defendants, was found guilty of using the funds for party expenses. Despite plans to appeal, the ban on her public office eligibility takes effect immediately. RN president Jordan Bardella, who is poised to replace Le Pen as the presidential candidate, condemned the verdict, calling it an attack on French democracy. Le Pen had been a frontrunner in the 2027 race, but her conviction now leaves Bardella to lead the party into the election.
