Marie Lepenová received a 4-year prison sentence and a ban from running for the presidency of France.

Le Pen was found guilty of, along with other party members, the unauthorized use of more than 3 million euros from the European Parliament's funds. These funds were intended for the salaries of parliamentary assistants, but according to the court, they were misused to finance the RN's party activities in France. Among those indicted were 24 other party members, including both former and current MEPs and their assistants.

According to the court, Le Pen and her colleagues established a system that allowed EU funds to be used for activities unrelated to the European Parliament. The court also noted that the accused did not profit personally, but their actions were described as a "democratic fraud" that undermined the trust of both voters and the parliament itself.

Sentence and Political Consequences

The court imposed an immediate five-year ban on Marine Le Pen from holding public office, meaning she will not be able to run in the 2027 presidential elections. In addition, she faces the possibility of a prison sentence of up to ten years. According to available information, she is currently sentenced to 4 years in prison, of which two are suspended. Le Pen may appeal the verdict, but the appeals process does not affect the validity of the public office ban.

During the trial, Le Pen repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and characterized the proceedings as a politically motivated attack on her. After the verdict was announced, she left the courtroom without comment.

Impact on the National Rally

This verdict has far-reaching consequences not only for Marine Le Pen but also for her entire party. The RN has long been one of the key players on the French political scene, primarily due to its anti-immigration and nationalist agenda. The party had already repaid a portion of the disputed funds totaling 1 million euros, although according to its lawyers, this does not constitute an admission of guilt.

The Future of the Far-Right in France

Marine Le Pen was twice a presidential election finalist – in 2017 and 2022 – and her popularity has been growing in recent years. However, this sentence represents a major obstacle to her further political ambitions. Le Pen herself described the possibility of a ban on candidacy as a "political death."

The party now faces the challenge of finding a new leader who can continue its legacy and prepare for the upcoming elections without one of the most prominent figures in French politics in recent years.