Paris, France - Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), has been sentenced to four years in prison, with two years to be served with an electronic tag, for misusing public funds from the European Parliament. A key point of contention is the immediate enforcement of a five-year ban on her candidacy in elections.
The Paris Criminal Court decided to implement the ban immediately, before the appeals process concludes. This decision has sparked debate, with some figures like Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin cautioning against politically motivated judicial actions.
The Paris Court of Appeal announced its intention to conclude the proceedings in the summer of 2026. Le Pen's party is considering Jordan Bardella as a potential alternative candidate should Le Pen be barred from running. Protests are planned across France in response to the verdict.