Marine Le Pen’s candidacy for the 2027 presidential election is now in jeopardy following her conviction for embezzlement of European funds. On Monday, March 31, a Paris court found the leader of the National Rally, along with eight other Members of the European Parliament, guilty of misappropriating public funds.
The court sentenced Le Pen, a former presidential candidate, to four years in prison, two of which were suspended. She was also fined €100,000 and banned from holding public office for five years, effective immediately.
However, Le Pen’s lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, announced later in the afternoon that he intends to appeal the decision. « This is a blow to democracy, » Bosselut stated in a brief press conference outside the National Rally’s Paris headquarters before rejoining his client.
Laurent Jacobelli, a National Rally MP and party spokesperson, assured reporters that Le Pen remains « combative » despite the verdict.
In addition to Le Pen’s sentencing, the National Rally party was also fined €2 million, with €1 million of that amount being a firm penalty.
Laisser un commentaire