Le Pen's appeal will decide whether she can run for president of France
The appeal process in Marine Le Pen's case is starting in France, the outcome of which will determine whether she will be able to run in the 2027 presidential election. According to Reuters, the hearings will start this week and last until mid-February, with a decision expected by the summer.
The leader of the National Unity party was found guilty of misusing European Union funds last year and banned from holding elected office for five years. It was a case of misuse of more than 4 million euros, which, according to the investigation, were not used for work in the European Parliament, but for the party's activities in France.
According to the agency, this ban effectively blocks Le Pen's participation in the presidential race, where she was considered one of the favourites. If the appeal is rejected, the current leader of the party, Jordan Bardella, will become the far-right candidate.
Le Pen herself calls the verdict politically motivated and claims pressure from the judicial system. At the same time, the court explained the immediate entry into force of the ban by the need to «protect the democratic order». According to polls, the majority of French people supported the court's decision.
Marine Le Pen, France, appeal, presidential election
