Marine Le Pen Banned from Office for Five Years Amid Embezzlement Conviction

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally, has been disqualified from running for public office for five years following a conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds. This ruling complicates her anticipated candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, as she was found guilty of systematically misusing taxpayer funds meant for parliamentary assistants. The verdict has sparked significant political backlash across Europe, with supporters like Italy's Matteo Salvini and Hungary's Viktor Orban condemning the ruling as a political attack, while critics see it as a necessary step to uphold democratic integrity. The conviction has also raised questions about the future of the National Rally, with party president Jordan Bardella indicating a crisis within the party. Le Pen's situation highlights ongoing divides in European politics regarding judicial actions against populist leaders. Overall, her legal battles signal a tumultuous period ahead for both her and her party in the lead-up to the next presidential election.