A French appeal court has upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for misusing EU funds, sentencing her to a three-year jail term, with two years suspended and one year under electronic monitoring. While this ruling shortens her ban on holding public office to 45 months, it allows her to potentially run in the April 2027 presidential election.
However, the requirement to wear an electronic tag complicates her campaign logistics, as she would need to return home each night, which could hinder her ability to connect with voters. Le Pen has expressed reluctance to campaign under these conditions, citing concerns about credibility and campaign effectiveness.
The ruling has sparked internal discussions within her party, the National Rally, as they prepare for the possibility of either Le Pen or party president Jordan Bardella leading the campaign. Polls indicate both figures are strong contenders, with some suggesting Bardella could outperform Le Pen in the initial voting rounds.
The conviction stems from allegations that National Rally officials misappropriated EU funds meant for parliamentary assistants, a claim Le Pen has consistently denied. The case has drawn criticism from her allies, who argue that the judiciary's actions are influencing democratic processes, while opponents maintain that public officials must adhere to the same legal standards as all citizens