Political Earthquake: Le Pen's Conviction Shakes French Far-Right

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement, receiving a five-year ban from public office, which prevents her from running in the 2027 presidential election unless an appeal overturns the ruling. The verdict is a significant blow to Le Pen and could reshape the political landscape in France.

In a dramatic turn for French politics, far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement, resulting in a five-year ban from public office. This ruling, delivered on Monday, is a significant setback for Le Pen, who was a leading contender in polls for the 2027 presidential race. Her removal from the race is expected to ignite a debate about the judicial oversight of politics in France.

The National Rally party, led by Le Pen, was accused of misappropriating over 4 million euros from European Parliament funds to support France-based staff. The party, however, argued that these funds were used appropriately, questioning the narrow definition applied to the role of a parliamentary assistant. Judge Benedicte de Perthuis stated that Le Pen played a central role in this scheme, intensifying the impact of her conviction.

Political analyst Arnaud Benedetti described the conviction as a landmark moment in French politics, predicting a reshuffle, especially on the right. With Le Pen unable to run, 29-year-old RN President Jordan Bardella could step up as the party's candidate for the 2027 election, yet it remains uncertain if he possesses the political maturity to succeed.

(With inputs from agencies.)