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Marine Le Pen is appealing a 2025 conviction for misusing over €3 million of EU Parliament funds via fake jobs to benefit her National Rally party. The initial ruling imposed a five-year ban from public office, barring her from the 2027 presidential race. The appeal trial began in January 2026, with a verdict expected by summer 2026. Her protégé Jordan Bardella may run if she is disqualified.
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As of February 16, 2026, French prosecutors have intensified investigations into former Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline over suspected tax fraud linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Raids at the Arab World Institute and other locations are underway. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has ordered probes into diplomat Fabrice Aidan's alleged ties to Epstein, amid broader European fallout from newly released US Justice Department documents.
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Paris's upcoming municipal elections highlight contrasting priorities: incumbent Mayor Hidalgo's green policies face opposition from candidates emphasizing safety and urban development. Recent polls show safety concerns rising, while environmental initiatives continue to shape the city's future. The election will determine the city's direction on these key issues.
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On March 15, 2026, France held municipal elections across nearly 35,000 municipalities, with results shaping momentum ahead of the April 2027 presidential race. The far-right National Rally (RN) is targeting major cities like Marseille, where its candidate Franck Allisio is tied with the incumbent Socialist mayor. The elections highlight security concerns and potential shifts in traditional party alliances.
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is challenging a September conviction for criminal conspiracy related to alleged illegal funding from Libya. He was briefly jailed in October and is now awaiting a retrial set to run until June 3, 2026. Sarkozy denies wrongdoing amid ongoing legal issues.