Marine Le Pen Banned From 2027 French Presidential Race

2025-03-31 global

Paris, Monday, 31 March 2025.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally party, has been barred from running for president in 2027 following a conviction for embezzlement, reshaping France’s political dynamics.

Landmark Court Decision

The Paris court delivered its verdict on March 31, 2025, finding Le Pen guilty of misappropriating over €3 million ($3.3 million) in European Union funds [1][2]. The case centered on the misuse of EU parliamentary funds from 2004 to 2016, where money intended for parliamentary aides was instead used to pay party staff [3]. The conviction carries severe penalties, including a €300,000 fine and a five-year ban from public office [4].

Political Implications

The ruling delivers a significant blow to Le Pen’s political future, as recent polls had shown her commanding 34-37% of first-round presidential voting intentions [5]. The constitutional council’s March 28 ruling establishes that politicians can be immediately barred from office upon conviction, making the impact immediate and decisive [6]. Jordan Bardella, a member of the European Parliament from the National Rally, is widely viewed as Le Pen’s logical successor [5].

Broader Impact on French Politics

The verdict comes at a crucial time for French politics, with approximately 42% of French citizens supporting Le Pen’s potential candidacy in the 2027 election [6]. The decision could potentially destabilize the current minority government led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, given that the National Rally holds 120 seats in the National Assembly [5]. The European Parliament estimates the total amount of embezzled funds at approximately €7 million [6].

Legal Aftermath

While Le Pen maintains her innocence and is expected to appeal the verdict [4], the court’s implementation of immediate provisional enforcement means the ban remains active during any appeal process [2]. This mechanism effectively prevents Le Pen from postponing the political consequences of her conviction [7], marking a potential end to her presidential ambitions.

Sources

Marine Le Pen embezzlement