&ldquo;It&rsquo;s my political death they want,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-marine-le-pen-frances-far-right-leader-to-serve-four-years-in-prison-banned-from-running-for-office-8911013">Marine Le Pen</a> declared in November. Few took her words seriously then, but on Monday, her prediction became reality.
A Paris court delivered a bombshell ruling, barring Le Pen from running for public office for five years, sentencing her to four years in prison, and imposing a &euro;100,000 fine.&nbsp;
The decision, which takes immediate effect despite her appeal, removes the far-right leader from the 2027 French presidential race and changes the country&rsquo;s political landscape.
For months, Le Pen had insisted that the judiciary would not dare to impose an immediate political ban even if she was convicted of embezzling EU funds. She was wrong.
<h2>A blow to Le Pen, a gift to her party?</h2>
As leader of the National Rally (RN), Le Pen was seen as the frontrunner for the 2027 election, with polls placing her 10 points ahead of her nearest rival. She had a clear path to becoming France&rsquo;s first female president. That path is now blocked.
Yet, far from destroying RN, the ruling may ironically strengthen the far right. Le Pen and her supporters have framed it as an establishment plot to sideline her and silence their movement. The narrative of persecution plays perfectly into populist rhetoric. Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old RN president and likely successor, has already called it the &ldquo;execution&rdquo; of democracy.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-will-backfire-elon-musk-slams-marine-le-pen-election-ban-as-abuse-of-power-compare-it-to-trump-trials-8911192">Le Pen</a> is no stranger to reinvention. She has spent over a decade trying to "detoxify" the RN, distancing it from its openly racist past under her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. In 2015, she expelled him from the party he founded. 
By softening its image, she broadened RN&rsquo;s appeal, attracting working-class and rural voters. Now, her downfall could finally sever the party from the Le Pen name&mdash;once its&nbsp;greatest asset but also its heaviest burden.
<h2>A martyr for the far right</h2>
For RN voters, the ruling confirms what they have long believed: The system is rigged against them. Le Pen is already portraying herself as a victim of the establishment, echoing the rhetoric of Donald Trump, who similarly claims political persecution through the courts.
Elon Musk said the same, warning that the decision would &ldquo;backfire&rdquo; and accusing the &ldquo;radical left&rdquo; of manipulating the legal system to jail opponents. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-does-trump-want-from-putin-us-prez-comments-on-ukraine-peace-deal-says-its-something-i-would-do-if-8911644">Kremlin</a> spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also denounced the ruling, saying European democracies were &ldquo;violating democratic norms.&rdquo;
The conviction could charge RN supporters rather than weaken them. 
Many of them do not see Le Pen&rsquo;s financial misconduct as any worse than the corruption scandals that have swarmed France&rsquo;s mainstream parties. Instead, her punishment is likely to be worn as a badge of honour, a symbol that she alone is standing up to the establishment.
<h2>What happens next?</h2>
Le Pen has appealed, meaning there is a small chance her ban could be overturned or reduced. If an appeal ruling arrives by early 2026 and reverses the court&rsquo;s decision, she could still run. But that scenario remains unlikely.
More immediately, RN is expected to gain support in the wake of this ruling. The idea that Le Pen has been politically "assassinated" will fuel outrage and strengthen her movement. For now, the question is no longer whether Le Pen will be a candidate in 2027 but who will replace her as the face of the far right.
The ruling has effectively launched the race to succeed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/iran-released-french-citizen-olivier-grondeau-after-almost-900-days-confirms-president-emmanuel-macron-8872832">Emmanuel Macron</a>, who is term-limited. Le Pen was widely expected to make the second round of the 2027 election, with the&nbsp;real question being who would face her in the final vote. Now, the equation has changed.
While some believe her political career is over, Le Pen has been written off before. The far right in France is not going away. If anything, this ruling may accelerate its transformation and its rise to power.

World: As leader of the National Rally (RN), Le Pen was seen as the frontrunner for the 2027 election, with polls placing her 10 points ahead of her nearest rival. She had a clear path to becoming France’s first female president. That path is now blocked. opinions & blogs

“It’s my political death they want,” Marine Le Pen declared in November. Few took her words seriously then, but on Monday, her prediction became reality. A Paris court delivered a bombshell ruling, barring Le Pen from running for public office for five years, sentencing her to four years in prison, and imposing a €100,000 fine. The decision, which takes immediate effect despite her appeal, removes the far-right leader from the 2027 French presidential race and changes the country’s political landscape. For months, Le Pen had insisted that the judiciary would not dare to impose an immediate political ban even if she was convicted of embezzling EU funds. She was wrong. A blow to Le Pen, a gift to her party? As leader of the National Rally (RN), Le Pen was seen as the frontrunner for the 2027 election, with polls placing her 10 points ahead of her nearest rival. She had a clear path to becoming France’s first female president. That path is now blocked. Yet, far from destroying RN, the ruling may ironically strengthen the far right. Le Pen and her supporters have framed it as an establishment plot to sideline her and silence their movement. The narrative of persecution plays perfectly into populist rhetoric. Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old RN president and likely successor, has already called it the “execution” of democracy. Le Pen is no stranger to reinvention. She has spent over a decade trying to "detoxify" the RN, distancing it from its openly racist past under her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. In 2015, she expelled him from the party he founded. By softening its image, she broadened RN’s appeal, attracting working-class and rural voters. Now, her downfall could finally sever the party from the Le Pen name—once its greatest asset but also its heaviest burden. A martyr for the far right For RN voters, the ruling confirms what they have long believed: The system is rigged against them. Le Pen is already portraying herself as a victim of the establishment, echoing the rhetoric of Donald Trump, who similarly claims political persecution through the courts. Elon Musk said the same, warning that the decision would “backfire” and accusing the “radical left” of manipulating the legal system to jail opponents. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also denounced the ruling, saying European democracies were “violating democratic norms.” The conviction could charge RN supporters rather than weaken them. Many of them do not see Le Pen’s financial misconduct as any worse than the corruption scandals that have swarmed France’s mainstream parties. Instead, her punishment is likely to be worn as a badge of honour, a symbol that she alone is standing up to the establishment. What happens next? Le Pen has appealed, meaning there is a small chance her ban could be overturned or reduced. If an appeal ruling arrives by early 2026 and reverses the court’s decision, she could still run. But that scenario remains unlikely. More immediately, RN is expected to gain support in the wake of this ruling. The idea that Le Pen has been politically "assassinated" will fuel outrage and strengthen her movement. For now, the question is no longer whether Le Pen will be a candidate in 2027 but who will replace her as the face of the far right. The ruling has effectively launched the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron, who is term-limited. Le Pen was widely expected to make the second round of the 2027 election, with the real question being who would face her in the final vote. Now, the equation has changed. While some believe her political career is over, Le Pen has been written off before. The far right in France is not going away. If anything, this ruling may accelerate its transformation and its rise to power.

Marine Le Pen’s political obituary? Once on track to be France’s first female president, now banned and sentenced to prison

A French court has sentenced far-right leader Marine Le Pen to a five-year ban from running for office, immediately blocking her potential 2027 presidential bid. The court also handed the 56-year-old politician a four-year prison sentence to be served under electronic surveillance.
Le Pen and eight other officials from her National Rally (RN) party were found guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. The scheme involved using parliamentary expenses to pay assistants who were actually working for the party. The court estimated the total fraud at &euro;2.9 million.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marine-le-pen-convicted-of-embezzlement-future-in-2027-election-uncertain-8909836" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Marine Le Pen convicted of embezzlement, future in 2027 election uncertain</a>
Twelve parliamentary assistants were also convicted for concealing the offence. In addition to the ban, the judge ruled that all RN officials found guilty would be barred from running for office with immediate effect, regardless of any appeal.
<h2>Judge cites &lsquo;major disturbance&rsquo; to public order</h2>
Presiding judge B&eacute;n&eacute;dicte de Perthuis explained the decision, saying, "The court took into consideration, in addition to the risk of reoffending, the major disturbance of public order if a person already convicted... was a candidate in the presidential election."
Le Pen, who has denied any wrongdoing, left the courtroom after hearing her conviction and political ban but before the judge announced the details of her prison sentence and fine.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-macron-and-zelensky-lead-wave-of-new-mobile-phone-diplomacy-8893739">Trump, Macron and Zelensky lead wave of new 'mobile phone diplomacy'</a>
In an opinion piece published on Sunday in La Tribune Dimanche, she warned that the ruling gives &ldquo;judges the right of life or death over our movement.&rdquo;
<h2>International reactions to Le Pen's conviction</h2>
The ruling has sparked strong reactions across Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused European governments of &ldquo;violating democratic norms.&rdquo;
Hungary&rsquo;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&aacute;n, a key ally of Le Pen, posted on X: "Je suis Marine!" (I am Marine!).
Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old leader of RN who is not implicated in the case, condemned the verdict, calling it an attack on French democracy. "Today, it is not only Marine Le Pen who is being unjustly condemned: it is French democracy that has been executed," he said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/iran-released-french-citizen-olivier-grondeau-after-almost-900-days-confirms-president-emmanuel-macron-8872832">Iran released French citizen Olivier Grondeau after almost 900-days, confirms President Emmanuel Macron</a>
Italy&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also reacted on social media, claiming Le Pen&rsquo;s conviction was politically motivated. He wrote, "Those who fear the judgment of the voters often find reassurance in the judgment of the courts... The one against @MLP_officiel is a declaration of war by Brussels."
The ruling marks a major blow to Le Pen&rsquo;s political future, raising uncertainty over the leadership of France&rsquo;s far-right movement ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-modifies-us-travel-advice-asks-travellers-to-state-their-gender-assigned-at-birth-8890546">France modifies US travel advice, asks travellers to state their gender assigned at birth</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Le Pen, who has denied any wrongdoing, left the courtroom after hearing her conviction and political ban but before the judge announced the details of her prison sentence and fine.

A French court has sentenced far-right leader Marine Le Pen to a five-year ban from running for office, immediately blocking her potential 2027 presidential bid. The court also handed the 56-year-old politician a four-year prison sentence to be served under electronic surveillance. Le Pen and eight other officials from her National Rally (RN) party were found guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. The scheme involved using parliamentary expenses to pay assistants who were actually working for the party. The court estimated the total fraud at €2.9 million. Also read: Marine Le Pen convicted of embezzlement, future in 2027 election uncertain Twelve parliamentary assistants were also convicted for concealing the offence. In addition to the ban, the judge ruled that all RN officials found guilty would be barred from running for office with immediate effect, regardless of any appeal. Judge cites ‘major disturbance’ to public order Presiding judge Bénédicte de Perthuis explained the decision, saying, "The court took into consideration, in addition to the risk of reoffending, the major disturbance of public order if a person already convicted... was a candidate in the presidential election." Le Pen, who has denied any wrongdoing, left the courtroom after hearing her conviction and political ban but before the judge announced the details of her prison sentence and fine. Also read: Trump, Macron and Zelensky lead wave of new 'mobile phone diplomacy' In an opinion piece published on Sunday in La Tribune Dimanche, she warned that the ruling gives “judges the right of life or death over our movement.” International reactions to Le Pen's conviction The ruling has sparked strong reactions across Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused European governments of “violating democratic norms.” Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a key ally of Le Pen, posted on X: "Je suis Marine!" (I am Marine!). Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old leader of RN who is not implicated in the case, condemned the verdict, calling it an attack on French democracy. "Today, it is not only Marine Le Pen who is being unjustly condemned: it is French democracy that has been executed," he said. Also read: Iran released French citizen Olivier Grondeau after almost 900-days, confirms President Emmanuel Macron Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also reacted on social media, claiming Le Pen’s conviction was politically motivated. He wrote, "Those who fear the judgment of the voters often find reassurance in the judgment of the courts... The one against @MLP_officiel is a declaration of war by Brussels." The ruling marks a major blow to Le Pen’s political future, raising uncertainty over the leadership of France’s far-right movement ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Also read: France modifies US travel advice, asks travellers to state their gender assigned at birth (With inputs from agencies)

'French democracy executed': Far-right leader Marine Le Pen gets 5-year political ban, 4-year prison term

In the embezzlement trial of France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the&nbsp;French prosecutors on&nbsp;Wednesday demanded she get a jail sentence and a ban from public office if convicted, potentially barring her from running for president in 2027.

The prosecution made the request in a Paris court where Le Pen, 56, and other defendants from her National Rally party are on trial accused of creating fake jobs at the EU parliament. They deny the charges.

The ban, if granted by court, would&nbsp;exclude her from running in France's 2027 presidential election, in what would be her fourth attempt to become the&nbsp;head of state.

The National Rally, like other far-right parties around Europe, is riding high following a strong performance in European elections in June.

The prosecution demanded all two dozen defendants be banned from public office for five years, effective immediately after the verdict, even if the defence team appeals.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-days-ahead-of-g20-summit-man-dies-outside-supreme-court-in-alleged-suicide-blast-776016">Man dies outside Brazil Supreme Court in alleged suicide blast</a>

"The law applies to all," prosecutor Nicolas Barret told the court as Le Pen sat in the front row of the defendants' benches.

He added that the ban would "prohibit the defendants from running in future local or national elections".

He demanded a five-year jail sentence for Le Pen, calling for at least two years of that to be a "convertible" custodial sentence, meaning there would be a possibility of partial release.

The prosecution also demanded the RN be fined two million euros ($2.1 million) and Le Pen herself 300,000 euros.

Le Pen promptly denounced the prosecutors' motion as excessive, branding it an "outrage" and accusing prosecutors of trying to "ruin the (RN) party".

"I think the prosecutors' wish is to deprive the French people of the ability to vote for who they want," she said.

<h2>RN alleges 'persecution'</h2>

The alleged fake jobs system, which was first flagged in 2015, covers parliamentary assistant contracts between 2004 and 2016.

Prosecutors say the assistants worked exclusively for the party outside parliament.

Addressing the trial last month, Le Pen said she was innocent.

"I have absolutely no sense of having committed the slightest irregularity, or the slightest illegal act," she told the court.

The RN's chairman Jordan Bardella called the prosecutors' demands on Wednesday an "assault on democracy".

"The prosecution is not acting justly," he wrote on X. "It is seeking to persecute and take revenge on Marine Le Pen."

Prosecutor Louise Neyton told the court earlier in Wednesday's hearing her team was "not here to persecute" but as the result of a "long judicial investigation".

She and Barret presented evidence that they said showed an "organised system" of embezzlement by which the party had aimed to "save money".

Questioned last month about how exactly she selected her presumed parliamentary aides, and what their tasks were, Le Pen gave general answers, or said she could not remember.

If convicted, Le Pen would be able to lodge an appeal.

European Parliament authorities said the legislature had lost three million euros ($3.4 million) through the jobs scheme.

The RN has paid back one million euros, which it insists is not an admission of guilt.

<meta name="uuid" content="uuidZ7FLgB97j747" />Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

In the embezzlement trial of France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the French prosecutors on Wednesday demanded she get a jail sentence and a ban from public office if convicted, potentially barring her from running for president in 2027.

In the embezzlement trial of France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the French prosecutors on Wednesday demanded she get a jail sentence and a ban from public office if convicted, potentially barring her from running for president in 2027. The prosecution made the request in a Paris court where Le Pen, 56, and other defendants from her National Rally party are on trial accused of creating fake jobs at the EU parliament. They deny the charges. The ban, if granted by court, would exclude her from running in France's 2027 presidential election, in what would be her fourth attempt to become the head of state. The National Rally, like other far-right parties around Europe, is riding high following a strong performance in European elections in June. The prosecution demanded all two dozen defendants be banned from public office for five years, effective immediately after the verdict, even if the defence team appeals. Also read: Man dies outside Brazil Supreme Court in alleged suicide blast "The law applies to all," prosecutor Nicolas Barret told the court as Le Pen sat in the front row of the defendants' benches. He added that the ban would "prohibit the defendants from running in future local or national elections". He demanded a five-year jail sentence for Le Pen, calling for at least two years of that to be a "convertible" custodial sentence, meaning there would be a possibility of partial release. The prosecution also demanded the RN be fined two million euros ($2.1 million) and Le Pen herself 300,000 euros. Le Pen promptly denounced the prosecutors' motion as excessive, branding it an "outrage" and accusing prosecutors of trying to "ruin the (RN) party". "I think the prosecutors' wish is to deprive the French people of the ability to vote for who they want," she said. RN alleges 'persecution' The alleged fake jobs system, which was first flagged in 2015, covers parliamentary assistant contracts between 2004 and 2016. Prosecutors say the assistants worked exclusively for the party outside parliament. Addressing the trial last month, Le Pen said she was innocent. "I have absolutely no sense of having committed the slightest irregularity, or the slightest illegal act," she told the court. The RN's chairman Jordan Bardella called the prosecutors' demands on Wednesday an "assault on democracy". "The prosecution is not acting justly," he wrote on X. "It is seeking to persecute and take revenge on Marine Le Pen." Prosecutor Louise Neyton told the court earlier in Wednesday's hearing her team was "not here to persecute" but as the result of a "long judicial investigation". She and Barret presented evidence that they said showed an "organised system" of embezzlement by which the party had aimed to "save money". Questioned last month about how exactly she selected her presumed parliamentary aides, and what their tasks were, Le Pen gave general answers, or said she could not remember. If convicted, Le Pen would be able to lodge an appeal. European Parliament authorities said the legislature had lost three million euros ($3.4 million) through the jobs scheme. The RN has paid back one million euros, which it insists is not an admission of guilt. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

French prosecutors demand prison, election ban for far-right leader Marine Le Pen

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Marine Le Pen’s political obituary? Once on track to be France’s first female president, now banned and sentenced to prison

'French democracy executed': Far-right leader Marine Le Pen gets 5-year political ban, 4-year prison term

French prosecutors demand prison, election ban for far-right leader Marine Le Pen