A French court has sentenced far-right leader Marine Le Pen to jail and barred her from holding public office after finding her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. The ruling threatens to derail her 2027 presidential ambitions, where she was leading in opinion polls.

Le Pen Convicted of Embezzlement

The Paris court determined that Le Pen misused more than 3 million euros ($3.3 million) in European Parliament funds to pay members of her National Rally (RN) party. Chief Judge Benedicte de Perthuis ruled that she would be banned from running for office for five years, effective immediately. The court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended. The remaining two years will be served under electronic surveillance rather than in custody.

In addition to the prison term, Le Pen must pay a fine of 100,000 euros ($108,000), while her party, the RN, faces a penalty of 2 million euros ($2.16 million).

“The court took into consideration, in addition to the risk of reoffending, the major disturbance of public order if a person already convicted … was a candidate in the presidential election,” Judge de Perthuis stated during sentencing.

Le Pen's Response and Legal Battle Ahead

The ruling is a major setback for Le Pen, who has accused prosecutors of attempting to end her political career. She is expected to appeal the decision, which could lead to a prolonged legal fight.

Le Pen left the courtroom before the sentencing was completed and was driven away, refusing to speak to reporters.

Far-Right’s Future Without Le Pen

Political analysts believe the verdict could reshape France’s far-right landscape. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said, “If Marine Le Pen can’t run, that would change the landscape of the French far right and its prospects. Most likely, Jordan Bardella, the current RN president, would step in.”

However, Butler noted that Bardella, while influential, lacks Le Pen’s recognition and dominance in French politics. “He’s not the figure that so many in France know, and some believe he would struggle in the 2027 race,” she explained. Others argue that a fresh face could reinvigorate the movement.

Reactions from Supporters and Critics

The verdict sparked immediate reactions from Le Pen’s allies. RN President Jordan Bardella condemned the ruling, declaring, “Today, it is not only Marine Le Pen who was unjustly condemned: it was French democracy that was killed.”

Eric Zemmour, Le Pen’s far-right rival, also criticised the sentence, insisting she had the right to stand for election. The Kremlin weighed in as well, despite its usual stance against interference in internal affairs. Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “More and more European capitals are going down the path of violating democratic norms.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed support for Le Pen, posting on X, “Je suis Marine!” (“I am Marine.”) Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, in a misdirected attack, called the ruling “a declaration of war by Brussels,” seemingly confusing the decision as an EU-led action rather than a French court ruling.

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders voiced his support, saying, “I trust she will win the appeal and become president of France.”

Legal and Political Implications

Beyond the political fallout, the case has been described as one of the largest fraud scandals in the European Parliament’s history. Daniel Freund, an MEP and chair of the European Parliament’s anti-corruption working group, defended the verdict. “The French judiciary shows that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of polling numbers,” he said.

A Turning Point for France’s Far Right

The ruling against Le Pen marks a significant moment in French politics, potentially altering the trajectory of the far-right movement in the country. While she prepares for an appeal, her party and supporters must decide how to navigate the upcoming 2027 presidential election without their most prominent figure. Whether the verdict weakens the RN or revitalises it under new leadership remains to be seen.