Le Pen Convicted of Fund Misappropriation, Faces Five-Year Ban

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally party, has been handed a five-year ban from holding public office after being convicted of misappropriating EU funds. This ruling is likely to thwart her bid for the presidency in 2027, which she had declared would be her final attempt. The conviction has sparked a wave of political backlash, with supporters claiming it undermines French democracy and alleging a judicial conspiracy to exclude right-wing candidates. Le Pen, who has characterized the legal actions against her as a political assassination, maintains that the funds were used legitimately for party staff. The ruling highlights a broader concern over the integrity of democratic norms in Europe, as echoed by other far-right leaders. The case exemplifies the tense intersection of politics and legal proceedings in France.