PARIS — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen will have an appeal trial from January 13 to February 12 next year, deciding her eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen was found guilty in March of misusing European Parliament funds, resulting in a five-year ban from public office, which threatened her presidential aims.
Le Pen denied the allegations and promptly appealed the decision.
The verdict sparked outrage from right-wing supporters, including U.S. President Donald Trump. The court of appeal aims for a decision by summer 2026. After the trial concludes, the court usually needs two to three months for a decision.
Le Pen labeled the trial as politically driven and the verdict as undemocratic. Her supporters hope the court either lifts her election ban, allowing her presidential run, or reduces the sentence.
Le Pen and 24 others were accused of diverting European Parliament funds to pay National Rally employees who rarely attended duties in Brussels or Strasbourg. The court estimated over €4 million was embezzled across 12 years.
Le Pen received the harshest sentence due to her roles as a former MEP and National Rally president.
Although National Rally President Jordan Bardella is prepared as an alternate candidate, Le Pen, now a member of the Assemblée Nationale, plans to exhaust all legal avenues to pursue her candidacy, even if President Emmanuel Macron calls snap elections before her appeal.
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