Marine Le Pen convicted of embezzlement, banned from office for five years

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, was convicted of embezzlement and handed a five-year ban from public office, which prevents her from running in the 2027 presidential election unless she successfully appeals. The court found Le Pen and other party members guilty of diverting over 4 million euros of European Parliament funds to pay staff, a ruling that political analysts describe as a significant turning point in French politics. In addition to the ban, Le Pen received a four-year prison sentence, two years of which are suspended, and a 100,000 euro fine. Le Pen has vehemently denied the charges, claiming they are politically motivated, and left the courtroom visibly upset. This verdict not only jeopardizes her political future but also raises questions about the impact on her party and the right-wing political landscape in France, with her protégé, Jordan Bardella, being seen as a potential successor. International reactions have emerged, with figures like Viktor Orban expressing support for Le Pen, while the ruling is viewed as a challenge to democratic norms by critics.