French prosecutors ask appeal court to keep ban on Marine Le Pen running for office

French state prosecutors have requested that an appeal court uphold a five-year ban on Marine Le Pen from holding office, potentially preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election. The request stems from her conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds in a fake jobs scandal between 2004 and 2016. Prosecutors also recommended a four-year prison sentence, with most of it suspended, and a €100,000 fine. They argued that Le Pen was central to a systematic scheme that misused funds meant for parliamentary assistants to pay party workers in France. Le Pen is appealing last year's verdict, seeking to overturn the conviction and sentence. The appeal court judges will deliberate and issue a verdict before the summer.

French prosecutors have requested a five-year ban from holding elected office for Marine Le Pen, a far-right leader, during her appeal trial in Paris. The trial stems from a March 2025 ruling that found Le Pen guilty of misusing European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016. Prosecutors allege Le Pen led a system to divert EU funds to benefit her party, accusing her of misappropriating public funds. In addition to the ban, they requested one year of house arrest with an electronic bracelet and a 100,000 euro fine. Le Pen acknowledges some aides performed party work while being paid as EU parliamentary aides, calling it a mistake. The appeals court's verdict is expected at a later date, potentially before summer.