Wed Apr 02 07:40:00 UTC 2025: ## French Far-Right Leader Le Pen Banned From Running for Office

**Paris, France** – Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, has been handed a five-year ban from holding public office for misusing European Union funds. The ruling, delivered on Monday, effectively bars her from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling over €4 million in EU parliamentary funds between 2004 and 2016. The funds, intended for parliamentary aides, were allegedly used to pay RN party staff, including Le Pen’s personal assistant and bodyguard. The judge described the misuse as a deliberate “system” orchestrated by Le Pen herself.

In addition to the ban, Le Pen received a two-year prison sentence (with an ankle monitor) and a further two-year suspended sentence. She was also fined €100,000, while the RN party was fined €2 million. Le Pen, who maintains her innocence, plans to appeal the decision. While the appeal process is underway, the prison sentences are postponed, but the ban on running for office remains in effect.

Le Pen, a prominent figure in French politics and a three-time presidential candidate, served as RN president from 2011 to 2022. Her strong showing in the 2022 election, where she secured over 40% of the vote, made her a frontrunner for the 2027 race. However, should the conviction stand, her deputy and current party president, Jordan Bardella, is expected to replace her as the RN’s presidential candidate. Despite the conviction, Le Pen remains a Member of Parliament. The news follows unrelated reports of a summons issued to comedian Kunal Kamra in India.

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