Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, will learn on Tuesday whether she can run for president in next year's election. The Paris appeal court is set to deliver its verdict at 13:30 local time on her embezzlement conviction.
The 57-year-old, who has run for president three times and came second to Emmanuel Macron in 2017 and 2022, currently leads in the polls. If barred from running, her protégé Jordan Bardella would stand in her place, potentially reshaping the race.
On March 31, 2025, a court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling €1.4 million from European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff. She was sentenced to a five-year ban from public office and a four-year jail term, with two years suspended and two under house arrest with an electronic tag.
During the appeal, Le Pen denied orchestrating the scheme but admitted to a 'mistake' that led some aides to work 'for the benefit of the party.' Prosecutors are pushing for the five-year ban to stand and a reduced jail term of one year under electronic monitoring.
If found guilty with a ban exceeding two years, Le Pen will be ineligible for the presidency. A ban of two years or less would allow her to run. Acquittal, though unlikely, would clear her path. She could also appeal to the Court of Cassation, but that would delay her campaign.
Le Pen has portrayed herself as a victim of judicial bias, claiming 'different treatment' compared to other politicians. However, the original judges ruled she was 'at the heart' of the fake jobs scheme.
If Le Pen cannot run, Jordan Bardella, 31, is set to replace her. Bardella already matches Le Pen in polls, but opponents view him as less threatening due to his inexperience. Le Pen has vowed to support him 'with great energy' if barred.
The verdict also affects 12 other National Rally members who appealed their convictions, including party vice-president Louis Aliot and former secretary general Nicolas Bay. Le Pen will address the nation on prime-time TV at 20:00 after the ruling.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk