Marine Le Pen has attacked her ban from running for public office for five years as a “political decision” by the judge
She also accused the court of trying to block her candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, calling the ban worth of “authoritarian regimes”
Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling European funds to finance her French far-right National Rally (RN) party
Le Pen expected the guilty sentence – but not this ban, writes our correspondent Hugh Schofield in Paris
She has also been given a four-year prison sentence – two years will be spent with an electronic tag rather than in custody, while the other two are suspended
Reacting to the conviction, her lawyer says “it’s a blow to democracy” and she intends to appeal.
Early Monday, Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling European funds to finance her French far-right National Rally (RN) party.
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In a television interview this evening, she said she would appeal against the move, describing it as “political”, and arguing that she was “innocent”. Le Pen also accused the court of attempting to block her from running for president in the 2027 election and said she would not let herself be “eliminated” like this.
Le Pen was given a five-year ban on running for office with immediate effect, meaning she’s barred from running in the next presidential race, unless her appeal is successful before then.
MORE: Le Pen attacks ban from running for public office as ‘political decision’
She was also handed a €100,000 (£82,635) fine and a four-year prison sentence – two years of which will be spent with an electronic tag rather than in custody, while the other two are suspended.
Members of RN have pushed back against the verdict, with some describing it as “against all principles of law” and “an infringement on democracy”. And party president Jordan Bardella called for a “popular, peaceful mobilisation” in support of Le Pen.
Following these reactions, France’s High Council of the Judiciary – a constitutional body formed to ensure judicial independence – called for calm in response to today’s ruling and moderation in the comments made about the proceedings.
Reported by BBC
