By Dwayne Ferreira.
Marine Le Pen can run in France’s 2027 election after a court reduced her ban but ordered electronic monitoring.
PARIS: Marine Le Pen can still pursue France’s 2027 presidential election after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction but reduced the political ban that had threatened to end her campaign hopes.
The court found Le Pen guilty over the misuse of European Parliament funds linked to her National Rally party. However, judges shortened the punishment that could have kept one of France’s most powerful far-right figures out of the next presidential race.
Le Pen had earlier received a five-year ban from public office after a lower court convicted her of embezzling European Parliament money. The appeals court reduced that ban to 45 months, with 30 months suspended.
Since 15 months have already been served from the earlier ruling, the decision means she is no longer automatically blocked from running in 2027.
However, the ruling still carries a serious condition. Le Pen received a three-year prison sentence, with two years suspended. She must serve one year at home under electronic monitoring.
That means Marine Le Pen may have to wear an ankle tag while preparing for a possible presidential campaign.
Marine Le Pen Presidential Hopes Stay Alive
The ruling immediately reshaped France’s political landscape. Le Pen has reached the final round of the French presidential election more than once and remains one of the strongest contenders to succeed Emmanuel Macron in 2027.
Her National Rally party has grown into one of France’s most influential political forces. The court’s decision now keeps open the possibility that Le Pen could again become its presidential candidate.
But the electronic tag could create major practical problems. Under French rules, a judge will decide the conditions of her monitoring. Those conditions may include when she can leave home and where she can travel.
Le Pen has previously said such restrictions would make a national campaign extremely difficult. She has not yet fully confirmed whether she will stand again under those conditions.
Bardella Remains A Possible Backup
The verdict also keeps attention on Jordan Bardella, the young National Rally president and Le Pen’s political protégé.
Bardella has been widely viewed as the party’s backup option if Le Pen cannot run or decides not to contest. The ruling now leaves National Rally with a difficult strategic choice.
The party can rally behind Marine Le Pen despite the ankle tag, or it can prepare Bardella as a cleaner candidate for 2027.
For now, Le Pen remains legally eligible. Politically, however, the case is far from over.
EU Funds Case Still Divides France
The case centred on allegations that European Parliament funds meant for parliamentary assistants helped pay National Rally party staff in France.
Prosecutors said the scheme diverted millions of euros from EU funds over several years. Le Pen and her allies have denied wrongdoing and claimed the case was politically motivated.
Her opponents argue that the conviction raises serious questions about integrity and public trust. Supporters argue that the courts came close to removing a major presidential contender from the ballot.
According to Associated Press and Reuters, the ruling now leaves Le Pen legally eligible while still facing strict monitoring conditions.
The result is a politically explosive compromise: Marine Le Pen has been found guilty, ordered to wear an electronic tag, yet still left with a path to the presidency.
