French court to decide Le Pen‍‍`s eligibility for 2027 election

France‍‍`s political landscape could shift dramatically on Tuesday as a Paris appeals court prepares to rule on Marine Le Pen‍‍`s challenge to her embezzlement conviction, a decision that may determine whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, is appealing a March 2025 verdict that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds intended for parliamentary assistants. Prosecutors argued the money was instead used to pay party employees between 2004 and 2016.

The lower court sentenced Le Pen to prison, with the sentence suspended pending appeal, and imposed a five-year ban on holding elected office. She has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains she intends to seek the presidency for a fourth time.

A full acquittal would remove the legal barrier to her candidacy and allow her to contest the 2027 election. During the appeal hearing, Le Pen acknowledged administrative mistakes but insisted she believed the staffing arrangements complied with European Parliament rules and were never concealed.

The court could also uphold her conviction while reducing or lifting the ban on holding public office. If the disqualification is shortened to two years or less, it would expire before the first round of the presidential election in April 2027.

However, Le Pen has argued that any remaining legal restrictions, including a prison sentence or electronic monitoring, could severely limit her ability to campaign nationwide.

Prosecutors have asked the appeals court to uphold a five-year ban and impose a four-year prison sentence, with three years suspended, alleging Le Pen orchestrated a scheme that diverted European Union funds to benefit her party.

If the ban is upheld, National Rally president Jordan Bardella is widely expected to replace Le Pen as the party‍‍`s presidential candidate, potentially reshaping France‍‍`s political contest to succeed President Emmanuel Macron.

Le Pen would still have the option of appealing to France‍‍`s Court of Cassation, although it remains uncertain whether such an appeal would suspend any ruling delivered by the appeals court.

The ruling is being closely watched as one of the most significant legal decisions ahead of France‍‍`s next presidential election, with campaigning expected to gather pace in the coming months.