Marine Le Pen found guilty of embezzlement

The French far-right leader’s conviction for misappropriating
EU funds threatens to derail her bid for the presidency in 2027


ACCUSATION

Le Pen and more than 20 other
senior party figures diverted over
€4.1 million of European funds to
pay staff working for her National
Rally party (RN)

Defendants say money was used
legitimately


WHAT IT MEANS

Prison sentence and fine will not
be applied until Le Pen’s appeals
are exhausted

Five-year ban on seeking office
begins immediately via so-called
“provisional execution” measure
requested by prosecutors. It will be
lifted only if any appeal is upheld
before 2027 election

Ban will not see Le Pen removed
from her seat in parliament until her
mandate ends, though it will prevent
her from running in any fresh
electoral contest


LE PEN’S SENTENCE

Barred from seeking public office
for five years

Four-year prison term – two years
suspended and rest served under
home detention

€100,000 fine


Sources: BBC, Reuters 
Picture: Getty Images 
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