Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally party, appeared in court in Paris to appeal a conviction related to the alleged misuse of European Union funds.
A French court in 2024 found her and several party members guilty in a case involving the use of EU funds to pay party staff for work unrelated to their roles as European Parliament assistants. Le Pen was barred from holding public office for five years.
The ruling poses a major obstacle for Le Pen’s expected 2027 presidential campaign. A successful appeal would be necessary for her to be eligible to run. The case is closely watched due to its political implications in France.
