What's happened
Marine Le Pen faces potential disqualification from the 2027 French presidential race due to ongoing legal proceedings. A lower court banned her for five years over a European Parliament funds scandal, but she is appealing. The outcome of her appeal could determine her eligibility to run next year.
What's behind the headline?
The legal proceedings against Marine Le Pen highlight the intersection of law and politics in France. The prosecutors' push for her disqualification underscores the judiciary's role in shaping electoral eligibility, especially for high-profile politicians. The case reveals how legal vulnerabilities can threaten political ambitions, even for leading candidates. If her appeal fails, her ineligibility will likely solidify, paving the way for Jordan Bardella to become the party's candidate. This situation exemplifies how legal accountability can influence electoral landscapes, potentially reshaping France's political future. The timing suggests that the judiciary's final decision will significantly impact the 2027 election, possibly shifting the race's dynamics and voter perceptions.
What the papers say
Politico reports that Le Pen's legal troubles stem from a 2025 conviction for misusing EU funds, with prosecutors seeking to uphold her five-year ban and jail time. The Japan Times notes the uncertainty surrounding her candidacy depending on the appeals court’s ruling. The Independent emphasizes her denial of wrongdoing and the serious nature of the charges, which could lead to her disqualification. Reuters highlights the potential impact of the court's decision on her eligibility, with her party still leading in polls but her candidacy at risk. These sources collectively illustrate the complex legal and political landscape Le Pen faces, with her future candidacy hinging on judicial outcomes.
How we got here
Le Pen was initially banned from running for five years after a 2025 court found her guilty of misusing EU funds to pay party staff. She is appealing this ruling, which could be upheld or overturned in the coming months. Her party remains ahead in polls, but her legal issues threaten her candidacy.
Go deeper
Common question
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Can Marine Le Pen Run in the 2027 French Presidential Election?
Marine Le Pen's political future is currently uncertain as her eligibility to run in the 2027 French presidential election hangs in the balance. A court ruling related to a scandal involving European Parliament funds could prevent her from standing, but the final decision is still pending. This legal case has significant implications for her career and for French politics overall. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding her potential candidacy and what it means for France.
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Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen (French: [maʁin lə pɛn]; born 5 August 1968) is a French lawyer and politician. She served as the president of the far-right National Rally party (RN) from 2011 to 2021, and ran for the French presidency in the 2012.
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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The European Parliament is one of three legislative branches of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union, it adopts European legislation, normally on a proposal from the European Commission.
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Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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Jordan Bardella (French: [ʒɔʁdan baʁdɛla] ; born 13 September 1995) is a French politician who has been the president of the National Rally (RN) since 2022, after serving as acting president from September 2021 to November 2022 and as vice-president