Marine Le Pen Confirms 2027 Presidential Bid Despite Court-Ordered Electronic Monitoring

PARIS: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has confirmed that she will contest the 2027 presidential election despite an appeals court upholding her conviction in an embezzlement case and ordering her to serve part of her sentence under electronic monitoring.

The Paris appeals court upheld Le Pen’s conviction over the misuse of European Parliament funds linked to her National Rally party but reduced the penalties imposed in an earlier ruling. The court shortened her ban from holding public office to 45 months, with a significant portion of the disqualification suspended, making her eligible to stand in the 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen was also sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended, while the remaining year is to be served under electronic monitoring. However, she announced that she would appeal the verdict before France’s highest court, a move that could suspend enforcement of the electronic monitoring requirement while the appeal is under review.

Speaking after the ruling, Le Pen reaffirmed her intention to seek the French presidency for a fourth time, maintaining her innocence and describing the case as politically motivated. She said the French electorate, rather than the courts, should determine the country’s political future.

The case stems from allegations that National Rally officials improperly used European Parliament funds intended for parliamentary assistants to finance party activities in France. The court found Le Pen guilty of embezzlement but ruled that voters should retain the opportunity to choose their preferred presidential candidates, paving the way for her participation in the 2027 election.

Le Pen’s decision to remain in the presidential race sets the stage for another closely watched contest in France, where President Emmanuel Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term. Her candidacy is expected to reshape the country’s political landscape as parties prepare for the 2027 election.