Le Pen Appeals Ban That Blocks Her 2027 Presidential Run

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right Rassemblement National party, appeared in a Paris appeals court on Tuesday to challenge a conviction that bars her from running in the 2027 presidential election. The case centers on claims she misused European Parliament funds to pay party staff, a ruling from March 2025 that imposed a five-year ban from public office along with prison time and a fine. Le Pen says the original decision was unfair and seeks to overturn it before the election timeline closes in.

Background

Le Pen has led the Rassemblement National, once called the National Front, for years. She took over from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011 and rebranded the party to soften its image while keeping hard lines on immigration and the European Union. The party gained ground in recent elections, coming close to power in 2022 when Le Pen reached the presidential runoff.

Trouble started years ago when investigators looked into how her party used money from the European Parliament. Members of Parliament there get funds to hire assistants. Prosecutors said Le Pen and others hired people who worked for the party instead of doing parliament jobs. This went on from 2004 to 2016, they claimed, with fake job titles to hide it.

In the first trial, which wrapped up in fall 2024, a court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling public funds and helping others do the same. Judges called it a system to take about 4.4 million euros from EU coffers. They hit her with four years in prison—two suspended, two at home with an electronic bracelet—a 100,000 euro fine, and the five-year ban from elected posts. That ban kicked in right away, blocking her from office now.

Le Pen called the verdict political from the start. She left the courtroom upset, telling supporters it was a move to stop her. The judge got police protection after online threats. Party members rallied, saying the courts targeted them to weaken the far right.

Key Details

The appeal trial got under way in Paris on January 13, 2026. It will run through February 12, with a decision expected by summer. Only 12 of the 25 people convicted in the first trial appealed, including Le Pen. Others are Louis Aliot, mayor of Perpignan and party vice president; Julien Odoul, a member of parliament; Wallerand de Saint-Just, former party treasurer; and the Rassemblement National itself.

The Charges and Sentences

Prosecutors say Le Pen sat at the heart of the scheme. Assistants listed on EU payrolls did party work in France, not parliament duties in Brussels or Strasbourg. Examples include staff handling press for the party or running local campaigns. The court in 2025 said Le Pen knew and approved it all.

Her sentence details: four years prison total, split as two years suspended and two under house arrest with a tag. Plus the 100,000 euro fine and five-year ineligibility for office. Other defendants got similar mixes of jail, fines, and bans.

Le Pen's team argues the first trial rushed and biased. They point to the judge's comments and say evidence was thin. In court this week, Le Pen spoke directly.

"We had no sense of having committed an offence."

• Marine Le Pen

She aims to show regret over any party mistakes without admitting personal guilt. Lawyers push for no ban or a shorter one, maybe two years from March 2025, ending just before the 2027 vote in April or May.

Party and Legal Players

Jordan Bardella, current party president, backs Le Pen fully. He said barring her would deny democracy. Bardella, popular with young voters, could step in if she loses. His rise came after strong EU election results in 2024. Some in the party whisper doubts about his readiness, but he stays loyal publicly.

The court set a fast schedule to avoid election meddling. If Le Pen loses, she can go to France's top court, the Cour de Cassation, but only on legal points. That court head said they might try to rule fast, but no promises.

What This Means

A win for Le Pen clears her record and lets her run in 2027. Polls show her strong against rivals, building on past runs. No ban means she campaigns free of legal clouds.

If the appeals court upholds the full ban, her presidential path ends. Bardella takes over, shifting party dynamics. His youth appeals to new voters, but Le Pen holds core support. Party tensions could grow if she steps aside.

France watches close. The far right pushes on issues like border control and EU skepticism. A Le Pen run energizes them; her exit tests Bardella. Left and center parties eye weakness.

The trial draws eyes beyond France. Reports swirled of U.S. interest under past Trump talks, though denied. Paris court head called any outside push intolerable.

Le Pen frames it as justice versus politics. Supporters pack streets near the court. Whatever the ruling, it shapes France's vote in 2027. The ban started March 31, 2025—two more years would lift it March 2027, in time if elections follow schedule.

Hearings go on for weeks. Witnesses from parliament staff to party insiders testify. Judges weigh if the system was deliberate or sloppy management. Le Pen sits through it, her future on the line.

This case tests France's rules on politicians and money. EU funds aim for real work, not party boosts. Courts enforce to keep trust. For Le Pen, it's personal—decades building to this shot at the presidency.