Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), has been found guilty by a French court of misappropriating European Union funds.
The court ruled that Le Pen and the RN misused €3 million in European Parliament funds intended for parliamentary assistants, using the money to pay party staff in France between 2004 and 2016.
Le Pen, who had previously stated a guilty verdict could lead to her “political death,” denied any wrongdoing, alleging the case was a politically motivated attack.
The court has not yet announced her sentence, which could include up to 10 years in prison and a political ban of at least five years. Prosecutors had sought an immediate five-year ban from public office, regardless of any appeal, potentially barring her from the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen’s party has criticised the trial as judicial overreach. Some political rivals have also expressed concern over courts determining electoral eligibility.
An acquittal would have bolstered Le Pen’s efforts to mainstream the RN, the largest single party in the French parliament. A disqualification would likely see RN president Jordan Bardella, 29, assume her role, though he is not expected to match her electoral appeal.
