France’s Court of Appeal is set to deliver a crucial ruling on the appeal of Marine Le Pen, a decision that could determine whether the leader of the far-right National Rally can contest the 2027 French presidential election.
Le Pen was convicted in 2025 for embezzling European Parliament funds that prosecutors said were meant to pay parliamentary assistants but were instead used to finance party activities between 2004 and 2016. She received a prison sentence, a fine, and a five-year ban from holding public office. Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing and appealed the verdict, arguing that the case is politically motivated.
The appeals court has several options. It could overturn the conviction, allowing Le Pen to remain eligible for the presidency; uphold both the conviction and the five-year ban, effectively preventing her from running in 2027; or reduce the sentence or shorten the ban, which could still leave open the possibility of a presidential bid.
The ruling is expected to have major political consequences in France. If Le Pen is barred from running, attention is likely to shift to her protégé, Jordan Bardella, who is widely viewed as the National Rally's most likely presidential candidate. Opinion polls suggest that either Le Pen or Bardella would remain among the strongest contenders in the 2027 election.
Political analysts say the verdict could reshape France’s political landscape by influencing the balance of power ahead of the next presidential election, while also serving as a significant test of judicial independence and political accountability in the country.