French Court Convicts Opposition Leader Marine Le Pen for Corruption, Uncertainty Over 2027 Election Candidacy

French Court Convicts Opposition Leader Marine Le Pen for Corruption, Uncertainty Over 2027 Election Candidacy

A French court has found far-right leader Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzling European Union (EU) funds.

The Paris court ruled that Le Pen used €3 million ($3.3 million) of funds intended for her European Parliament staff's expenses to pay members of her National Rally party. This ruling could jeopardize Le Pen's opportunity to run in the 2027 presidential election, where she is currently a frontrunner in opinion polls. The court's decision could soon be announced, which may render Le Pen ineligible to run for the election. She has accused prosecutors of conspiring against her to bring about her "political death." Additionally, she could face prison time and significant financial penalties.

Source: Al Jazeera