La Court of Appeal of Paris ha Marine Le Pen's conviction confirmed in the trial on the false employment of assistants of the Rassemblement National at the European Parliament, but reducing the sentence imposed in the first instance. The decision formally leaves the way open for her candidacy in the 2027 French presidential elections. The leader of the French right was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzlement, compared to the four previously established. One year it will have to be discounted with the electronic bracelet.
READ MORE How does Marine Le Pen think she represents the French? di F. Locatelli
The most politically relevant passage, however, concerns ineligibility, reduced from five years to 15 monthsAccording to the Court, the period must be considered "already discounted", since the measure had started to take effect in March 2025. Le Pen could therefore run for the Elysée for the fourth time.
However, the issue of the electronic bracelet remains, which could impact the election campaign. The leader of the National Rally had repeatedly stated that she did not want to run for president while under this measure.
The Court confirms the seriousness of the facts
During the reading of the sentence, the president of the Court of Appeal has repeatedly underlined the relevance of the disputes"The facts are serious," he stated, specifying that their gravity depends both on the amount of money involved and the duration of the system implemented. The judges acknowledged the absence of direct personal enrichment on Le Pen's part, but reiterated that "European funds are public funds" and that the rules governing the functions of parliamentary assistants are sufficiently clear.
According to the prosecution, some collaborators formally employed as assistants to MEPs they would have actually worked exclusively for the party or its leaders between 2004 and 2016. In the first instance, the damage caused to the coffers of the European institutions was quantified at 3,2 million euros, after having subtracted 1,1 million already returned by some of the 25 defendants involved in the proceedings.
During the appeal process, Le Pen had rejected the hypothesis of intentional conduct"If there was any fault, I never felt I had committed any crime," he had declared before the magistrates. The defense had focused on human error and the lack of willingness to circumvent the rules. Le Pen also accused the European Parliament of failing to promptly report the alleged irregularities, claiming that the institution was aware of the nature of the contested contracts. "We have hidden nothing," she stated.
The bracelet knot and the Bardella hypothesis
The reduction of ineligibility allows Marine Le Pen to remain in the presidential race, but the obligation to carry the b for one yearelectronic raclette could complicate his political plansIn recent months the leader of the Rassemblement National had declared that not wanting to conduct an election campaign while being subjected to the measureFor this reason, he could ask for a reduction in the length of the sentence or a different method of carrying it out.
According to some experts, however, the electronic bracelet already represents a form of adaptation to detention. If the requirement were reduced from twelve to six months, Le Pen could still begin her election campaign without a bracelet starting in January. The final decision on her candidacy therefore remains in her hands. If she decides to withdraw or deems it politically impractical to run for the Elysée under these conditions, the the most likely candidate to replace her would be Jordan Bardella.
The 30-year-old president of the National Rally has led the party since 2021 and is considered the main internal alternative to Le Pen. Her candidacy would not be automatic, but it would represent the most likely scenario if the leader were to step down.
The announcement on the 20 p.m. news: "I'm running and will campaign without the bracelet."
“I'm a candidate starting tonight”, announced Marine Le Pen on the 20pm French news broadcast on TF1, also confirming that will not be required to wear the electronic bracelet"I will appeal to the Supreme Court to prove my innocence," said the leader of the National Rally. "I had said that I would not participate in the electoral campaign wearing an electronic bracelet, but since I have the possibility of appealing to the Supreme Court and the appeal suspends the effects of the sentence, I will campaign without an electronic bracelet”.
As for the role of Jordan Bardella, who was the figure indicated to take Le Pen's place in next year's presidential elections, the leader of the French sovereign right confirmed its importance: "We are a tandem – she said -, a winning combination for the role of prime minister and presidentWe have solutions and we complement each other,” he added, insisting that Bardella would be prime minister if he won.We are fighting for France, I believe that this political partnership we are forming can really change things.”
(Last updated at 8:45 PM on Tuesday, July 7)
