French Judge Bars Leading Right-Wing Presidential Candidate from Running, Sparking Uproar
A French court delivered a stunning verdict on Monday, barring Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years due to embezzlement—a severe blow to her presidential aspirations and a seismic shift in France’s political landscape.
Although Le Pen retains the right to appeal, such an action will not suspend her disqualification, effectively jeopardizing her participation in the 2027 presidential race. She has previously warned that such an outcome would be tantamount to a “political death.”
The ruling sent shockwaves through both political and judicial circles, as Le Pen had been one of the strongest contenders to succeed President Emmanuel Macron after his final term, set to conclude in 2027. The case's political reverberations were so significant that even some of her adversaries questioned whether the court had overstepped its bounds.
Le Pen was not present when the chief judge announced the sentence that upended her career. She had exited the courtroom earlier, following the initial statement that she would be barred from office—before the duration of the ban was specified.
While Le Pen herself refrained from immediate comment, her supporters swiftly denounced the decision. Jordan Bardella, her 29-year-old protégé and a potential 2027 candidate, asserted on X that Le Pen “is being unjustly condemned” and that French democracy “is being executed.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly expressed solidarity with Le Pen, posting “Je suis Marine!”—I am Marine—on X.
Even some of Le Pen’s political opponents voiced unease. Conservative lawmaker Laurent Wauquiez remarked that the decision placed “a very heavy weight on our democracy.”
Only a successful appeal could overturn the ban and restore Le Pen’s eligibility. However, with the election just two years away, time is running short, and an appeal court’s ruling remains uncertain.
The ruling also implicated Le Pen’s party, with the judge convicting eight other current or former members for embezzling public funds. Additionally, 12 individuals who previously worked as parliamentary aides for Le Pen and the National Rally party—formerly known as the National Front—were also found guilty.
The judge accused Le Pen of orchestrating “a system” that funneled EU parliamentary funds for party use, while clarifying that neither she nor her co-defendants personally profited. However, the ruling characterized the misappropriation as “a democratic bypass” that misled both the parliament and voters. Le Pen and her co-defendants have denied any wrongdoing.
Initially, Le Pen displayed little reaction when the guilty verdict was announced. However, as the judge elaborated on the decision, she became visibly unsettled, shaking her head in disagreement when the misuse of European Parliament funds was mentioned.
“Incredible,” Le Pen whispered at one point. Then, without warning, she abruptly gathered her belongings and walked out.
In addition to the political ban, Le Pen was sentenced to two years of house arrest. However, the disqualification from public office carries the most significant consequences for her political career.
At 56, Le Pen had been a formidable contender in French politics, finishing as the runner-up to Macron in both the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, with her party’s support continuing to grow.
During her nine-week trial in late 2024, Le Pen argued that her disqualification “would have the effect of depriving me of being a presidential candidate” and would disenfranchise her voters.
“There are 11 million people who voted for the movement I represent. So tomorrow, potentially, millions and millions of French people would see themselves deprived of their candidate in the election,” she told the three-judge panel.
Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison term alongside a five-year disqualification from office.
Le Pen contended that their focus was “only interested” in blocking her from seeking the presidency.