Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Rally party, has been found guilty in a major embezzlement case. The verdict came after a nine-week-long trial that took place at the end of last year. Le Pen, along with 24 other members of her party, was accused of misusing European Union (EU) funds. The court ruled that she and her associates had illegally taken more than €3 million (approximately £2.51 million) from the EU between 2004 and 2016.
The case revolved around how these funds were used. The EU provides money to support Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for their work. However, Le Pen and her team were accused of using the funds to pay staff working for their party in France rather than for EU-related duties.
The Court’s Decision and Possible Consequences
The verdict was delivered in a Paris courtroom, where Marine Le Pen sat silently in the front row as the judge read the decision. Along with her, eight other current or former members of the National Rally party, including key figures from her time in the European Parliament, were also found guilty. Prosecutors had previously requested that Le Pen be banned from holding public office for five years, which could immediately impact her political future. However, it remains unclear if the court will impose this punishment.
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If the court does rule that Marine Le Pen is ineligible to run for office, she may be unable to participate in the 2027 French presidential election. This would be a huge setback for her, as she has already run for the presidency three times and had announced her intention to contest again in 2027. She described such a scenario as her “political death.”
What This Means for Marine Le Pen and Her Party
Le Pen has consistently denied the accusations, claiming that the funds were used for legitimate purposes. She argued that she was not running a fraudulent scheme and that the money was spent properly. Her co-defendants, including former MEPs from the National Rally party, also maintained their innocence throughout the trial.
Despite these claims, the guilty verdict has now raised serious questions about the future of Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party. The case has not only tarnished her reputation but also put her party under intense public and legal scrutiny. Some believe this ruling could weaken her party’s influence ahead of future elections.
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While sentencing is expected later today, Le Pen and her associates could face up to 10 years in prison if the court decides on the maximum penalty. It is also possible that she will be immediately banned from public office, even if she chooses to appeal the verdict.
For now, the political landscape in France is watching closely as the court prepares to announce the next steps. The ruling marks one of the biggest legal challenges Marine Le Pen has ever faced in her political career.
