The French far-right leader’s 2027 presidential bid jeopardised following court ruling on misuse of EU funds.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement and handed a five-year ban from holding public office after being found guilty of a fraudulent scheme involving European Parliament funds. The court ruling, delivered on March 31, 2025, deals a significant blow to Le Pen’s ambitions for the 2027 presidential race, unless she can successfully appeal the decision before then.
Le Pen, along with her party, the National Rally (RN), and several party officials, was accused of diverting over €4 million (approximately US$4.33 million) from European Parliament budgets to cover expenses for staff based in France. The defence argued that the funds had been legitimately used and that the nature of the assistant roles had been misinterpreted. However, the court found Le Pen to be at the core of the fraudulent operation.
In addition to the five-year ban, Le Pen was sentenced to a four-year prison term, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Despite these penalties, it is highly likely she will appeal, and no enforcement of the prison sentence or fine will occur until the appeals process is completed. However, the ineligibility ruling takes effect immediately, barring her from participating in the 2027 election unless her appeal is successful before the race begins.
This decision represents a major setback for Le Pen, who has spent years working to rebrand herself as a more mainstream political figure following her 2017 loss to President Macron. Under her leadership, the RN has become the largest party in the National Assembly.
The political ramifications of the court’s decision are expected to be profound, potentially reshuffling the right-wing political landscape in France. Arnaud Benedetti, a political analyst, described the ruling as a “seismic political event” that would have far-reaching effects on French politics.
With Le Pen’s prospects for 2027 now in doubt, Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old president of the RN and Le Pen’s close associate, may become the party’s de facto candidate. Though Bardella has garnered support from younger voters, analysts remain uncertain about his ability to secure the broader electorate necessary for a presidential victory.
As appeals in France can take months or even years, the future of the RN and its presidential ambitions remains in a state of flux.
