Marine Le Pen Vows to Appeal ‘Political’ Court Ruling Banning Her from Public Office

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has condemned a court ruling barring her from public office for five years, calling it a “political decision” and vowing to appeal.

The decision, delivered on Monday, found Le Pen guilty of embezzling European Union funds, also sentencing her to a four-year prison term, two of which are suspended, and imposing a fine of €100,000 (£82,635).

The ruling jeopardizes Le Pen’s ability to contest the 2027 French presidential election, where she was seen as a strong contender.

In an interview with French television station TF1, she rejected the court’s decision, saying, “I’m not going to let myself be eliminated like this.” She added that she would pursue all available legal avenues to overturn the ruling.

Shock Verdict Divides Political Landscape

The verdict has sent shockwaves through the French political establishment, particularly within Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party. Jordan Bardella, RN’s 29-year-old president, labeled the ruling a “democratic scandal” and called for a “popular, peaceful mobilisation” in response.

He also shared an online petition denouncing the ruling as an attempt to “prevent French people from expressing themselves.”

The judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, stated that Le Pen had been at “the heart of the system” that saw the embezzlement of €2.9 million in EU funds.

The ruling found that Le Pen and over 20 other senior party figures had hired assistants who worked on RN’s political activities rather than for the European Parliament, which had funded their salaries. RN was ordered to pay a €2 million fine, with half the amount suspended.

Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating during her trial last year that she had not committed “the slightest irregularity.”

On Monday, ahead of the verdict’s delivery, she stormed out of the courtroom alongside other defendants and convened a crisis meeting at the party’s headquarters in Paris.

Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum

While her conviction was welcomed by some, it also drew criticism from unexpected quarters. Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party argued that “the choice to dismiss an elected official should only belong to the people.”

Laurent Wauquiez of the right-wing Republicans warned that the ruling could have serious consequences for French democracy, stating, “It’s undoubtedly not the route that should have been taken.”

Even centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou was reportedly “troubled” by the verdict, though he refrained from making a public statement.

Le Pen also received messages of support from international allies, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, and even the Kremlin.

Uncertain Political Future

The appeal process could take more than a year, potentially leaving Le Pen unable to prepare effectively for the 2027 election. If her conviction stands, RN may have to rely on Bardella or another figure to lead the campaign.

Despite the setback, Le Pen remains defiant. “Millions of French people are outraged,” she said. “This indignation, this feeling of injustice, is an additional push for the fight that I fight for them.”

As the political and legal battle unfolds, the case could have significant implications for the future of France’s far-right movement and the country’s democratic processes.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members