Marine Le Pen appeals embezzlement conviction barring 2027 candidacy

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally, is appealing a court conviction of embezzlement that bars her from running in the 2027 presidential election. A Paris court sentenced her to four years in prison—two years under home detention and a two-year suspended sentence—while also imposing a €100,000 fine and an immediate five-year ban from public office. Le Pen has described the ruling as politically motivated, asserting her innocence and vowing to fight the decision, which she claims undermines French democracy. Her party has launched a petition urging supporters to mobilize against what they see as judicial overreach. The conviction, seen as a major setback for her political ambitions, has potential repercussions for the future of French politics, especially as Le Pen was considered a frontrunner in the upcoming election. The ruling has also sparked discussions about the role of the judiciary in political matters and has drawn criticism from right-wing leaders globally.