Marine Le Pen Returns to Court as Appeal Could Shape 2027 Presidential Race

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen returned to court in Paris on Tuesday as judges began hearing her appeal against a conviction that could determine whether she is eligible to run in the 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen is challenging a March 2025 ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds, for which she was handed a five-year ban from holding public office, a four-year prison sentence, two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. The ban took immediate effect, putting her future political ambitions at risk.

The appeal hearing is scheduled to run until mid-February, with a verdict expected before the summer. Le Pen denies wrongdoing, arguing there was no intent to break the law and accusing the European Parliament of failing to raise objections at the time. Prosecutors maintain that EU funds meant for parliamentary assistants were improperly used for party activities.

The outcome of the case could have major political implications. If Le Pen is barred from standing in 2027, attention is likely to shift to National Rally president Jordan Bardella, who has emerged as a popular figure within the party and has publicly backed Le Pen throughout the legal proceedings.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a long-running case over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.