Prosecutors want to confirm ban on Le Pen, presidential candidacy at stake

The French prosecutor's office is seeking to uphold a harsh verdict against Marine Le Pen in an appeal, which last year banned her from holding public office for five years. This is a key decision, as if upheld, it would prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election.

According to the court, Le Pen was a central figure in a system in which more than €4 million in European Union funds were used to finance employees of her National Rally (RN) party in France.

Prosecutors emphasize that parliamentary assistants worked for the party but were paid with European money. Le Pen herself denies any wrongdoing and claims she did nothing illegal.

If Le Pen were unable to run, the RN's favorite would be the party's young chairman, Jordan Bardella, whose experience, however, is questioned by some analysts.

(reuters, pir)