Le Pen barred from running for public office in France

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been barred from running for public office after a court found her guilty of embezzling EU funds to finance her party, BFM-TV reports.  

The ruling deals a major blow to Le Pen, who had been preparing to run in the 2027 presidential election. The court ordered the ban to take effect immediately, though the duration remains unclear. The length of the restriction is crucial, as it could determine whether Le Pen is eligible to campaign in the next election.  

Le Pen left the courtroom before the judge finished reading the verdict. Polls had placed her as the frontrunner in the first round of the upcoming presidential race.  

Le Pen and 12 of her associates were found guilty of illegally obtaining funds, with the court estimating total damages at €2.9 million.

• Marine Le Pen's political future hangs in the balance as a verdict on charges of embezzling European Parliament funds could prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election.