Le Pen Prohibited from Pursuing Political Positions
A Paris court has ruled that Marine Le Pen, a prominent member of the right-wing National Rally party, is barred from running for public office due to financial misconduct. Le Pen previously referred to this outcome as “political death” and...
TroibNews 
A Paris court has ruled that Marine Le Pen, a prominent member of the right-wing National Rally party, is barred from running for public office due to financial misconduct. Le Pen previously referred to this outcome as “political death” and was found guilty of embezzling EU funds alongside several other lawmakers.
The immediate five-year ban for the 56-year-old MP took effect without any opportunity for appeal. Reports indicate that Le Pen exited the courtroom before the judge completed the ruling.
In an unrelated case, the French Constitutional Council affirmed on Friday that imposing an immediate political ban, known as a “provisional execution,” is permissible under the nation's basic law. This council serves as the highest authority on constitutional issues in France.
The National Rally and approximately twenty of its senior members, including Le Pen, faced allegations of misappropriating over €3 million from 2004 to 2016. The charges claimed that funds intended for European Parliament aides were instead redirected to national staff. Le Pen was convicted alongside eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
Le Pen previously sought the French presidency in three consecutive elections, narrowly losing to Emmanuel Macron in 2022 by fewer than 10 percentage points.
Critics label her as “far-right,” and she has consistently opposed various EU policies, particularly concerning illegal immigration and the bloc's support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
Though Le Pen currently leads the RN faction in the National Assembly, she stepped down as party leader in 2022, with Jordan Bardella taking over the position.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The immediate five-year ban for the 56-year-old MP took effect without any opportunity for appeal. Reports indicate that Le Pen exited the courtroom before the judge completed the ruling.
In an unrelated case, the French Constitutional Council affirmed on Friday that imposing an immediate political ban, known as a “provisional execution,” is permissible under the nation's basic law. This council serves as the highest authority on constitutional issues in France.
The National Rally and approximately twenty of its senior members, including Le Pen, faced allegations of misappropriating over €3 million from 2004 to 2016. The charges claimed that funds intended for European Parliament aides were instead redirected to national staff. Le Pen was convicted alongside eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
Le Pen previously sought the French presidency in three consecutive elections, narrowly losing to Emmanuel Macron in 2022 by fewer than 10 percentage points.
Critics label her as “far-right,” and she has consistently opposed various EU policies, particularly concerning illegal immigration and the bloc's support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
Though Le Pen currently leads the RN faction in the National Assembly, she stepped down as party leader in 2022, with Jordan Bardella taking over the position.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
