Marine Le Pen Faces Legal Challenges Impacting 2027 Presidential Bid
Marine Le Pen has been sentenced to a five-year ban on running for office after being convicted of misusing European Parliament funds. Although she received a four-year prison term, it is set to be served under an electronic bracelet. The ruling has immediate implications for her potential presidential campaign in 2027 and has drawn widespread political reactions.
On Monday, a French court sentenced Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, to a five-year ban on holding office, significantly impacting her 2027 presidential bid. The court also imposed a four-year prison sentence; however, she will serve this under an electronic bracelet, with two years suspended.
Le Pen, aged 56, along with eight colleagues from her party, were found guilty of exploiting European Parliament funds to hire assistants who worked for the party instead. A total of twelve assistants were also convicted of concealing these actions, with the fraudulent scheme estimated to have embezzled €2.9 million ($3.1 million).
All convicted RN officials, including Le Pen, faced immediate bans from running for office, as stipulated by the presiding judge. “The court took into consideration… the major disturbance of public order if a person already convicted… was a candidate in the presidential election,” stated Judge Benedicte de Perthuis.
Appearing to have her best chance for the presidency in 2027 due to President Emmanuel Macron’s term limit, Le Pen maintains her innocence regarding the charges. After the verdict, she did not remain in the courtroom until the announcement of her sentence and is scheduled to address the media in a primetime interview later.
In an article for La Tribune Dimanche, Le Pen expressed concerns over the verdict, asserting that the judges essentially wield power over her political movement. Despite RN’s recent success, polls suggest she could potentially lead the preliminary voting round for the presidential elections.
The Kremlin, reacting promptly to the ruling, criticized a perceived decline in democratic standards across Europe, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban publicly supported Le Pen. Meanwhile, RN leader Jordan Bardella, aged 29, who evaded legal scrutiny, condemned the verdict as damaging to French democracy and received Le Pen’s endorsement as a potential presidential candidate.
Le Pen has been pivotal in transitioning the party from the National Front to the National Rally, aiming for wider acceptance while distancing herself from her father’s contentious legacy. Prosecutors outlined how the party utilized funds meant for parliamentary assistants illegally.
Concerns regarding Le Pen’s potential exclusion from the election have also emerged among her political opponents, with former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton acknowledging the significant public support for her agenda and expressing discomfort over the consequences of her conviction for both her and those she represents.
In conclusion, Marine Le Pen has faced serious legal repercussions, including a five-year ban from office following her conviction for misusing European Parliament funds. The verdict complicates her anticipated presidential run in 2027, despite maintaining a strong public standing and denying any wrongdoing. As reactions pour in from allies and political figures, the future of both Le Pen and her party’s leadership remains uncertain as they navigate the aftermath of this ruling.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
