31.03.2025 15:20
The far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who announced her candidacy for the 2027 presidential elections in France, has been found guilty of misusing European Union (EU) funds. The Paris Criminal Court issued a ruling of 'corruption' against Le Pen and eight former members of the European Parliament (EP).
The Paris Prosecutor's Office requested that Le Pen be banned from elections for 5 years while the appeal process regarding the court's decision continues. If this request is accepted, Le Pen will not be able to run in the 2027 elections.
A POLITICAL BAN HAS BEEN REQUESTED
The Paris Prosecutor's Office wants the immediate implementation of the 5-year election ban they requested against the far-right leader, instead of waiting for the judicial authority's appeals and the outcome of the appeals process at the Paris Criminal Court. The prosecutor's office also requested 5 years in prison, a fine of 300,000 euros, and a political ban for Le Pen. On the other hand, some legal experts argue that the decision made by the Constitutional Court may be limited to local authorities and may not apply to Le Pen's case.
"FAKE CONSULTANCY AND EMPLOYMENT"
During Le Pen's term as an MEP, it was alleged that she paid salaries from EU funds for "fake consultancy" services to two individuals. In an investigation opened in 2015, it was claimed that the party formerly known as the National Front (now National Rally - RN) created "fake employment" in the EU between 2004 and 2016.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office had requested that legal action be taken against Le Pen and many party members, including her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, for misusing EU funds and "concealing the crime." In the trial process that began in September 2024, Le Pen and other prominent figures of the party were tried for embezzling EU funds.
UNCERTAIN POLITICAL FUTURE
Le Pen's candidacy in the 2027 elections depends on whether the court will execute the sentence without waiting for the appeals process. If the court decides in this direction, the strongest figure of the far-right in France may be disqualified from the race. However, some legal experts believe that the previous decisions of the Constitutional Court only cover local authorities... Le Pen's political future will become clear in a short time.