Court verdict to determine Marine Le Pen's eligibility for 2027 presidential election

On July 7, 2026, the Paris Court of Appeal is expected to deliver a ruling regarding the eligibility of Marine Le Pen for the 2027 French presidential election. The case centers on the misuse of European Parliament funds totaling between 1.4 million and 4.5 million euros between 2004 and 2016, through the use of fake contracts for parliamentary assistants. On March 31, 2025, a lower court sentenced Le Pen to a four-year suspended prison term, a 100,000 euro fine, and a five-year ban from holding public office. The ban, which was intended to take immediate effect regardless of the appeal, necessitated her resignation as a regional councilor in Pas-de-Calais. However, she has remained a member of the National Assembly following a decision by the Constitutional Council allowing deputies to complete their terms. If Le Pen is disqualified, her ally and party leader Jordan Bardella is expected to step in as the National Rally candidate. The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for April 18, 2027, with the second round on May 2, 2027.