Marine Le Pen Found Guilty of Embezzlement, Barred from Office

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right movement, was convicted of embezzlement by a Parisian criminal court on Monday, a decision that immediately disqualifies her from holding public office for the next five years. This ruling seriously undermines her aspirations to compete in France’s 2027 presidential race.

This judgment delivers a significant setback to Ms. Le Pen’s persistent presidential ambitions. Known for her anti-immigration and nationalist stance, she has already faced defeat in three previous presidential attempts. Looking visibly shocked, she left the courtroom swiftly, whispering “incredible” as she departed before the full verdict was read.

While Ms. Le Pen did not engage with the numerous media crews stationed outside the courthouse, she was anticipated to make a statement on French television later that evening. Prior to the hearing, she had spoken of feeling “serene,” though her demeanor after the verdict suggested otherwise.

Polls indicate that Ms. Le Pen was a leading contender for the 2027 election. Her disqualification is expected to trigger significant backlash from her party and raise broader allegations regarding the suppression of democratic processes in France. However, the presiding judge emphasized that no individual is “entitled to immunity when it comes to obeying the law.”

Alongside the ban, Ms. Le Pen, aged 56, received a prison sentence of four years, with two years suspended, and a monetary penalty of 100,000 euros, approximately $108,000. She has consistently rejected allegations of misconduct, which pertain to claims that her party, National Rally, misallocated millions of euros from European Parliament funds for non-authorized expenses between 2004 and 2016.

An appeal is anticipated, which would pause most of the sentence, excluding the ban from public office. The court declared her disqualification effective immediately, meaning only a successful challenge prior to the 2027 election deadline could reinstate her candidacy.

Navigating an appeal in time is challenging, as France’s legal process is notoriously slow. Even if a subsequent trial occurs before 2027, it’s uncertain if the appeal would be successful in overturning the prosecution’s case.

Several politicians, including some who normally oppose Ms. Le Pen, have voiced concerns that excluding a candidate of her party’s popularity might ignite a democratic dilemma. The ruling does not restrict her protégé, Jordan Bardella, who is 29, from pursuing the presidency.

Should Ms. Le Pen choose to retaliate against France’s unstable government or if public discontent erupts, the verdict could incite further political chaos. The government has already faced difficulties in passing a budget this year and remains at risk of collapse due to potential opposition from lawmakers, with Ms. Le Pen’s party as the largest entity in the lower house.

Her current term as a National Assembly member remains unaffected by this ruling, but should the Assembly dissolve, she would not be eligible for re-election.