Marine Le Pen Found Guilty of Embezzlement in Verdict That Could End Her Career

PARIS — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been found guilty of embezzling European Union funds, a ruling that could derail her plans to run for president in France’s 2027 elections.

The verdict, delivered by a French court on Monday, comes after a lengthy investigation into allegations that Le Pen and her National Rally (RN) party misused over 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of EU funds to pay party staff between 2004 and 2016. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence, a five-year ban from public office, and a fine of 300,000 euros ($316,860). The court has yet to announce her sentence, leaving the fate of her political career uncertain.

Judge Benedicte de Perthuis stated that the investigation established that “all these people were actually working for the party” rather than performing EU-mandated tasks. He further emphasized that the case was not about administrative errors but rather a “system put in place to reduce the party’s costs.”

The ruling follows a nine-week trial that started in November after nearly a decade of legal scrutiny. Alongside Le Pen, 24 other RN figures were accused in the case, all of whom have denied the charges.

Even if she appeals the verdict, Le Pen could still face immediate disqualification from running in 2027 due to a “provisional execution” order. As a three-time presidential contender and front-runner in the polls, such a ruling could mark a dramatic turn in French politics.

RN has slammed the case as politically motivated, accusing prosecutors of orchestrating Le Pen’s “political death” to prevent her from holding public office. Le Pen herself voiced confidence ahead of the ruling, telling French newspaper La Tribune Dimanche, “With provisional execution, the judges have the power of life or death over our movement… but I don’t think they’ll go that far.”

Having taken over RN from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine Le Pen has reshaped the party, broadening its appeal beyond its far-right nationalist roots. Under her leadership, RN has grown into France’s largest single party in parliament, attracting younger and working-class voters.

If Le Pen is ultimately barred from politics, her protégé, 29-year-old party president Jordan Bardella, is expected to step in as the new face of the movement.

The case has reignited debate in France over judicial influence in politics. Critics argue that courts should not have the power to reshape the country’s political landscape, while supporters of the ruling emphasize the importance of holding politicians accountable for financial misconduct.

As the final sentence awaits, the ruling leaves Le Pen’s political future in limbo, raising questions about the future of the far-right in France’s next presidential race.

Souce: NBC News – France’s far-right leader Le Pen guilty of embezzlement in ruling that could end her career