French prosecutors request 5-year ban on far-right Marine Le Pen from holding office

By AP 3 February 2026, 10:13 pm

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President of the parliamentary group of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party, Marine Le Pen (right), walks followed by co-defendant French member of European Parliament Catherine Griset (left) as they exit a courtroom while leaving the Tribunal de Paris courthouse during the reading of sentencing in their trial verdict on suspicion of embezzlement of European public funds, in Paris, on March 31, 2025 (ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

French prosecutors request a five-year ban on holding elected office against far-right leader Marine Le Pen in a crucial appeal trial in Paris, an outcome that may prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen, 57, is seeking to overturn a March 2025 ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds in the hiring of aides from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors accused Le Pen of being at the head of a “system” meant to “siphon off” EU public funds to the benefit of her party.

In addition, they requested one year of house arrest with an electronic bracelet and a 100,000 euro ($118,000) fine against Le Pen.

The appeals court’s verdict is expected at a later date, possibly before summer.

During the trial that started last month, Le Pen acknowledged some people performed work for her party, then known as the National Front, while being paid as EU parliamentary aides, calling it “a mistake.”

Le Pen was seen as the potential front-runner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last year’s ruling, which sent shock waves through French politics.

Several scenarios are possible, from acquittal to another conviction that may bar her from running in 2027. She also could face an even tougher punishment if convicted anew — up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million euros ($1.17 million).

If she becomes ineligible, she has designated her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella, as her successor in the presidential bid.