In France, the court imposed a 5-year ban on extreme right-wing leader Marine Le Pen from running for office on charges of misappropriating public funds. Le Pen strongly reacted to the decision.

Extreme right-wing leader Marine Le Pen in France was convicted of “misappropriating public funds” and sentenced to a 5-year ban on running for office and 4 years in prison. During the court case in Paris, Le Pen left the courtroom before the verdict was announced. She argued that the decision was “political” and said, “This decision aims not only to prohibit me, but also to prevent the millions of people who voted for me.” She stated that she would exhaust all legal avenues to overturn the decision. The French leader was sentenced to a total of 4 years in prison, two of which are closed, but she will serve this sentence at home with an electronic ankle tag. She will also have to pay a fine of 100,000 euros.

HINDERED FROM THE 2027 ELECTIONS The imposed 5-year ban on Le Pen means that she cannot run for the 2027 presidential elections. Speaking to French television TF1, Le Pen stated, “I did not expect such an overt interference in the democratic process.”

IS A POLITICAL CRISIS LOOMING? Political analysts in France suggest that this decision could lead to a new political crisis in the country. Following the accusations of misusing European Parliament funds, Marine Le Pen and her party may opt for a more aggressive stance towards toppling the government. National Rally Party leader Jordan Bardella made a strong statement, saying, “Today, not only Marine Le Pen is convicted, but French democracy has been executed.”

NOTABLE STATEMENT FROM RUSSIA Russia also made a statement regarding the issue. The Kremlin stated, “We do not wish to interfere in France’s internal affairs, but the number of European capitals violating democratic norms is increasing every day.” The impact of this development on the political balance in France remains a subject of curiosity.