Marine Le Pen convicted of misappropriation of European Parliament funds

Marine Le Pen has been found guilty by the Paris Court of Appeal for the systematic misappropriation of European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016. The court sentenced her to three years of imprisonment, with two years suspended and one year to be served under house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor. Additionally, she received a 45-month ban from holding public office, with 30 months suspended, and a fine of 100,000 euros. The case centered on allegations that European funds were used to pay employees of the National Front party for domestic political work rather than parliamentary duties. The prosecution estimated total misappropriated funds at approximately 4.5 million euros, though some reports mentioned a figure of 1.4 million euros regarding specific charges. This verdict follows a 2025 ruling that initially imposed a harsher five-year ban on holding public office. Despite the restrictions, her legal team and current status suggest she remains eligible to stand in the 2027 presidential elections, though the situation remains subject to interpretation. If she is excluded from the race, party president Jordan Bardella is considered a potential successor candidate.