Marine Le Pen awaits trial decision that could derail her 2027 presidential hopes
The far-right politician could be banned from running in upcoming key election if found guilty of embezzlement
Monday’s verdict pins on a similar case over embezzlement in the Mayotte department
Tennessee Witney / Shutterstock
A landmark court case against far-right politician Marine Le Pen over misuse of EU funds is scheduled to provide its judgement on Monday (March 31).
The prosecution is seeking a five-year prison sentence and a fine, as well as barring her from running in the 2027 presidential election.
Whilst a ban on running for public office is standard for any charges of embezzlement in France, the prosecution demanded this take place immediately from the date of the ruling onwards (a provisional execution) even if an appeal is lodged.
This is rare in France: usually, sentences are only fully imposed following an appeal’s process, meaning in this case Le Pen could have appealed a guilty verdict (a process that can take months or years) and remain open to running in the meantime.
The provisional execution would prevent Ms Le Pen running for the presidential office in 2027 in the event of a guilty ruling, even if she lodged an appeal against the hearing.
She would only be allowed to run if she was fully acquitted before spring 2027 when the presidential election is set to take place, although the exact date is not certain.
A similar case on embezzlement in the French overseas department of Mayotte saw the president of a municipality on the island also barred from running in an election even if lodging an appeal.
The matter was brought to the French Constitutional Council, who will rule today (March 28) on whether such a request from prosecutors is valid.
If so, it is likely a similar ruling against Ms Le Pen would be upheld in the event she and her fellow party members are found guilty.
Read more: Is it correct to call Rassemblement National far-right?
What is the case about?
Marine Le Pen and several other politicians from the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) are accused of misusing over €3 million EU-allocated funds to pay for staff working in France, as opposed to for the party at the international level.
The party says that the claim of prosecutors is too narrow, and does not take into account the varied nature of the work assigned to parliamentary assistants.
Prosecutors say the party created ‘fake jobs’ to use the EU funds.
The claims are historic, dating to when the party was still known as the Front National (FN, National Front). It changed its name in 2018 in order to seem more moderate and appeal to more voters.
Read more: Marine Le Pen’s trial for misuse of EU funds starts in Paris
Widely expected to run in 2027
Whilst Ms Le Pen will no doubt appeal any guilty conviction, such a ruling could scupper the party’s 2027 election plans, and has been heavily criticised by members of her party.
Whilst not technically ‘leader’ of the far-right RN – that is Jordan Bardella – Ms Le Pen is at the very least a talisman for the single-largest party in the French Assemblée nationale.
She has led the party in three presidential campaigns, and in the previous two reached the second round, going into a direct run-off against eventual winner Emmanuel Macron.
Depending on the outcome of Monday’s ruling, she is widely expected to run for the party again in 2027.
If she is found guilty, counter-demonstrations against the decision from the far-right are likely, which could spill into further protest.
Read more: French far-right leader: 2024 election was ‘personal defeat but collective victory’
