Marine Le Pen Found Guilty of Embezzling EU Funds
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty on Monday of misappropriating European Union funds to finance her National Rally (RN) party. Prosecutors accused Le Pen and other party members of using EU money meant for parliamentary assistants to pay France-based staff for party work between 2004 and 2016. The court stated that Le Pen had been "at the heart of this system" since 2009 and ruled that the misuse of funds was not an administrative error but an act of embezzlement designed to reduce RN’s costs.
The sentencing could have major political consequences. Prosecutors have requested a €300,000 fine, a prison term, and a five-year ban from public office, arguing that the disqualification should take effect immediately. If upheld, this would prevent Le Pen, a leading contender in the 2027 presidential election, from running. However, the judge has yet to decide whether the ban will be automatic or if she can appeal while remaining eligible. Le Pen, who denies wrongdoing, has accused the case of being politically motivated and has vowed to appeal.
