French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for political office with immediate effect on Monday after a court found her guiltys of .
Le Pen had said ahead of the verdict that a guilty ruling could lead to her “political death.”
The court ruled that Le Pen and the RN misused €3 million ($3.25 million) in European Parliament funds meant for parliamentary assistants.
Prosecutors had alleged that the to pay France-based party staff between 2004 and 2016, violating EU rules.
Le Pen, 56, denied any wrongdoing, calling the case a political attack aimed at ending her career.
“There are 11 million people who voted for the movement I represent,” said Le Pen said ahead of the ruling on Monday. She also claimed against her would mean “potentially millions of French people seeing themselves deprived of their candidate in the election.”
Le Pen’s political future at stake
Prosecutors had asked that face an immediate five-year ban from public office if found guilty, regardless of any appeal process.
This could prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election, where she is a leading contender. An appeal would trigger a retrial, likely in 2026, just months before the vote.
Le Pen’s party said the trial is a judicial overreach, similar to what US President had said about his legal troubles in the past.
“With provisional execution, the judges have the power of life or death over our movement,” she said. “But I don’t think they’ll go that far.”
Some of her rivals, including Prime Minister , have expressed concern over courts deciding who can run for office.
RN president , 29, has been tipped as a potential replacement for Le Pen at the 2027 presidential election. He, however, is not expected to match her electoral appeal.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
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