Prosecutors Seek Jail Time and Fines for Le Pen

French prosecutors have demanded a two-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office for Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, over alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds. The charges involve creating fake jobs for parliamentary aides, with funds reportedly misused to pay party staff between 2004 and 2016. If the court grants the ban, Le Pen would be barred from running in France's 2027 presidential election, a significant setback given her party's recent electoral gains. Prosecutors also requested a €300,000 fine for Le Pen, additional suspended prison time, and a €2 million fine for the National Rally party. Le Pen, who has denied the allegations, criticized the demands as an attempt to prevent her presidential candidacy. The trial is expected to conclude on November 27, with a verdict to follow later.