French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been banned from running for public office for five years after being found guilty of misappropriating European Union funds.
The ban precludes her from running in France’s next presidential election in 2027, with the court saying the measure would remain in place even as she appeals.
She has also been handed a four-year prison term, with two years as a suspended sentence and two to be served under house arrest with an electronic tag.
Le Pen said ahead of the verdict that a guilty ruling could lead to her "political death."
The court ruled that Le Pen and her National Rally party (RN) misused €3 million ($3.25 million) in European Parliament funds meant for parliamentary assistants.
Prosecutors alleged that the money in question was used to pay France-based party staff between 2004 and 2016, violating EU rules.
Le Pen, 56, denied any wrongdoing, calling the case a political attack aimed at ending her career.
00:00 Marine Le Pen banned from running for office
00:38 DW’s Lisa Louis with the latest on the ruling from Paris
04:00 DW’s Jack Parrock with the reaction from Brussels
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News post in March 31, 2025, 3:04 pm.
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