Marine Le Pen, the prominent French politician and leader of the right-wing party National Rally, along with eight associates, was convicted of embezzling public funds on Monday. As a result of this ruling, Le Pen is prohibited from seeking public office.
According to the French court, the duration of Le Pen’s ineligibility for office has not yet been disclosed. Furious, she left the courtroom before the full details of her sentence were revealed. Le Pen is a leading candidate for the presidency in the 2027 elections, and she has expressed that being barred from this election would mark her “political death.”
Le Pen contends that this ruling would disenfranchise millions of voters who support her. She finished second to French President Emmanuel Macron in both the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, and her party has seen significant growth in support in recent years.
“There are 11 million people who voted for the movement I represent. Therefore, tomorrow, potentially millions of French citizens would find themselves deprived of their candidate in the election,” Le Pen stated in court prior to her sentencing.
TRUMP, PUTIN AGREE TO BEGIN CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS IN MIDDLE EAST, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
The case revolves around funds from the European Parliament that were allegedly misused to cover expenses for Le Pen’s bodyguard and personal assistant. Other defendants faced similar convictions regarding the misuse of these funds.
Prosecutors have sought a two-year prison sentence along with a five-year ban on Le Pen’s eligibility to hold political office.
Le Pen has asserted that the focus of the prosecution is merely to prevent her from running for the presidency.
TRUMP HOLDS ‘VERY GOOD’ CALL WITH ZELENSKYY FOLLOWING DEAL WITH PUTIN
Right-wing figures like Le Pen have gained traction in Europe, largely fueled by a rising anti-mass immigration sentiment.
This court decision comes at a time when Macron is grappling with the implications of President Donald Trump’s return to U.S. politics, stirring tensions between European nations and the U.S. over economic strategies and the ongoing support for Ukraine.
RUSSIA, UKRAINE AGREE TO BLACK SEA CEASEFIRE FOLLOWING US TALKS
Recently, the Trump administration emphasized its negotiations with Ukraine and Russia, claiming both countries had agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea region. However, the Kremlin later indicated that this agreement was conditional upon lifting international economic sanctions.
“Russia shall have no say in the support we are providing and will continue to provide to Ukraine, nor shall they dictate the terms,” Macron reportedly stated.
Macron also rejected Trump’s suggestion that Europe consider lifting sanctions on Moscow.
.
