France’s Court of Appeal to rule on Le Pen conviction – what it’s all about

EXPLAINERThe far-right leader could be prevented from running for president in 2027 if embezzlement charges are upheld.France’s appeal court is set to deliver a key verdict on whether Marine Le Pen and other members of her National Rally party misused European Parliament funds in the hiring of aides between 2004 and 2016.If, on Tuesday, the court upholds her 2025 conviction, which saw her barred from office for five years and sentenced to house arrest, Le Pen – one of the most prominent figures of the European far right and a frontrunner in polls for France’s 2027 contest – is likely to be unable to stand in presidential elections next year.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3France to increase nuclear warheads, lend nuclear aircraft to Europe allieslist 2 of 3Europe’s hard right fractures over US-Israel war on Iranlist 3 of 3Is the tide turning on Europe’s hard-right populists?end of listOn Wednesday last week, Le Pen said that even if the court only upholds the order for her to wear an electronic bracelet, she will not stand. “If I can be a candidate, I will be a candidate, provided that I am able to campaign,” the 57-year-old political firebrand told LCI channel.“Because if I’m allowed to be a candidate but am effectively prevented from campaigning freely, then you understand that wouldn’t be possible.”What was Le Pen convicted of?In March 2025, a Paris criminal court ruled that Le Pen was at the heart of “a fraudulent system” that her party used to siphon off EU Parliament funds worth 2.9 million euros ($3.32m).The court also fined the National Rally party 2 million euros ($2.29m), half of which was suspended.She had been accused of using money intended to finance the costs of parliamentary ⁠assistants to pay employees working for her political party. EU politicians ⁠are allocated funds to cover expenses, including salaries for parliamentary assistants, but are not allowed to use them for party activities.