French Court Ruling Threatens Le Pen's 2027 Run

France's constitutional court decision allows immediate disbarment of politicians convicted of crimes, potentially barring Marine Le Pen from the 2027 presidential race. Accused of embezzlement, prosecutors seek her political exclusion through a provisional execution ban. Le Pen claims innocence and condemns the legal efforts against her as a political attack.

In a landmark decision, France's constitutional court declared that local politicians can be immediately barred from office if convicted of crimes. This ruling opens up the possibility of far-right leader Marine Le Pen being excluded from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen, a frontrunner in opinion polls for the upcoming election, faces charges of embezzling over three million euros of European Parliament funds. Although she denies the allegations, prosecutors have requested her disbarment for five years should she be found guilty on Monday.

The court's decision is seen as a significant blow to Le Pen's political future. Despite her assertions of innocence, legal proceedings now present a substantial hurdle to her ambitions in the next presidential race.

(With inputs from agencies.)