France’s Le Pen barred from 2027 presidential race
A Paris Court has blocked Marine Le Pen from running for elections for the next five years after it found her guilty of embezzling European Union finances, shattering her chances of a 2027 French Presidential election victory.
The French far-right figurehead was handed a four-year prison sentence, CNN reported on March 31st. Her lawyer has said she will appeal the ruling.
Her party, National Rally has been fined €2 million for the €4.1 million it was indicted of embezzling.
The judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, said Le Pen’s actions equalled a “serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe, but especially in France.”
Le Pen told French broadcaster TF1 that her guilty verdict was a “political decision.”
The presiding judge said Le Pen’s immediate ban on standing for re-election was tied to “democratic public unrest” that would occur from the election of a person convicted of embezzlement.
US President Donald Trump told reporters that Le Pen’s conviction was a “very big deal”. Trump added: “She was banned from running for five years and she’s the leading candidate — that sounds like this country.”
The ruling is predicted to ignite further protest, with Le Pen’s protégé, Jordan Bardella releasing a petition to solicit support for her.
CNN
