Marine Le Pen. Photo: EPA/UPG
arine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing radical National Rally (RN) and the main rival of the current government in the upcoming presidential election, is facing a decisive court decision. The French court is to determine whether she is guilty of embezzling more than three million euros from the European Parliament’s funds, Le Monde writes.
If the sentence is severe, Le Pen could lose the right to hold public office for five years. This would mean that she would not be able to take part in the 2027 presidential race. The prosecutor’s office is demanding “enforcement proceedings”, which means that the ban will take effect immediately, even if the politician appeals.
Le Pen herself calls the case political persecution. She accuses the court of an attempted “political assassination” and a desire to remove her party from power. “Judges have power over our movement, but I don’t believe they will go that far,” she said in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche.
If the RN leader is found guilty, it could cause a political scandal and destabilise the French opposition. Instead, an acquittal will further strengthen her position, as Le Pen is currently at the top of the presidential candidate ratings.
The trial has attracted the attention of not only French politicians but also the whole of Europe, as the decision on Le Pen could have a significant impact on the future of the EU.
