French politician Marine Le Pen has begun her appeal against a five-year ban from public office, a consequence of her conviction last year for embezzling European Union funds. The appeal process, taking place at the Paris Court of Appeal, could influence her eligibility for the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen, 57, maintains her innocence in the matter.
Appeal Trial Commences
The appeal commenced on Tuesday in Paris, challenging a previous ruling that prohibited Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years. This ban was imposed following her conviction last year on charges related to the misuse of European Union funds. The outcome of the appeal is anticipated to be announced before summer 2024, ahead of France's next presidential election, projected for April 2027.
Background of the Case
The original conviction stemmed from allegations that Le Pen and more than 20 other senior figures of her National Rally (RN) party utilized European Parliament-paid assistants for party affairs rather than for their designated roles within the European Parliament. Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis had previously stated that Le Pen was at the "center of a system" that led to the embezzlement of €2.9 million (£2.5 million) in European funds.
Following the conviction, Le Pen received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended and the remaining two years to be served with an electronic tag. She was also fined €100,000 (£82,635) and banned from public office with immediate effect. Her party, the National Rally, was ordered to pay a €2 million fine, with half suspended. Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating she has not committed "the slightest irregularity."
Related Appeals and Party Stance
In addition to Le Pen's appeal, eleven of her colleagues are also challenging their verdicts, while twelve others have accepted the original rulings. Jordan Bardella, President of the National Rally party, expressed concerns regarding the democratic implications of a potential ban. He stated that it would be "deeply worrying for democracy" if the judicial system prevented a presidential candidate, who has twice reached the second round of elections and is considered a frontrunner, from participating.
Potential Appeal Outcomes
The French legal system allows appeals courts to re-examine lower court decisions in their entirety, including both facts and points of law. The appeal at the Paris Court of Appeal is scheduled to conclude on February 12. Possible outcomes for Le Pen's appeal include:
- The appeals court overturning the lower court's verdict, which would clear Le Pen of the charges.
- The appeals panel affirming the guilty verdict but removing the "immediate effect" clause of the ban, potentially allowing her to seek office while pursuing a further appeal to the Court of Cassation.
- The judges curtailing the five-year ban to a duration that would permit her registration as a candidate by the March 2027 deadline.
- The lower court's decisions remaining intact, which would make a 2027 presidential bid unlikely, even with a subsequent appeal to the Court of Cassation.