Marine Le Pen Receives Five-Year Ban from Office Following Embezzlement Conviction

Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement National (National Rally) in France, has been sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended, and a five-year ban from holding public office due to misappropriation of European Parliament funds. The ruling, which some critics label as 'lawfare,' has drawn international support for Le Pen from conservative leaders including Donald Trump and Viktor Orbán, who argue it represents a misuse of the legal system to silence political opponents. The Paris court's decision has significant implications for Le Pen's potential candidacy in the upcoming 2027 presidential election, marking the first time the Le Pen name may not appear on ballots since 1981. The Socialist Party has rejected any efforts to overturn her ineligibility, stating there is no 'witch hunt' against her. Le Pen has vowed to continue her political fight, rallying approximately 8,000 supporters despite the backlash from various political factions. The case has ignited a broader discussion on judicial authority and political maneuvering across Europe, highlighting tensions between right-wing populism and liberal democratic institutions.