Marine Le Pen has officially launched her campaign for the 2027 French presidential election after a court of appeal reduced her ban on holding public office, clearing a major legal hurdle for the far-right leader. Speaking on Wednesday, Le Pen declared that voters would ultimately decide her political fate, asserting her right to run despite an ongoing legal battle over embezzlement of European Parliament funds.
Appeal Court Upholds Conviction but Shortens Ban
On Tuesday, an appeal court upheld Le Pen's conviction for orchestrating a large-scale fake-jobs scheme that siphoned over €2.8 million (£2.4 million) from the European Parliament to her National Rally (RN) party between 2004 and 2016. The court shortened her ban on running for office, enabling her to stand in the 2027 election, but also imposed a one-year custodial sentence to be served via electronic ankle tag, restricting her movements. Le Pen had previously stated she would not run under such restrictions.
Le Pen Appeals to Highest Court, Sentence Suspended
Le Pen announced she would appeal to France's highest court, the Court of Cassation, on a point of law. While the appeal is pending, her sentence is suspended, meaning she can campaign without wearing an electronic tag. In La Flèche, a town in La Sarthe where she attended a market walkabout, supporters cheered and took selfies, while left-wing protesters shouted insults like "thief" and "criminal."
Political Reactions and Legal Uncertainty
Le Pen's candidacy has sparked strong reactions from opponents. Socialist MP Boris Vallaud called her a "delinquent," while former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said her candidacy "is hanging by a legal thread" and accused her of taking the campaign "hostage." Manuel Bompard of La France Insoumise described it as "extraordinary" that she would run after her conviction was upheld.
Le Pen's lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, acknowledged on French radio that running for president while appealing was "a risk." The Court of Cassation may rule early next year, but it typically takes longer. If the court finds procedural errors, Le Pen would face a new trial, but likely not before the election. If the court upholds the conviction, her sentence becomes definitive, and she could face electronic monitoring before the vote, though the process often takes months.
Presidential Immunity Could Shield Le Pen
If Le Pen wins the presidency before an electronic tag is fitted, she would enjoy presidential immunity during her term, avoiding the sentence until she leaves office. Le Pen insisted she is "innocent" and said she wants to focus on political issues like the cost of living, security, and deindustrialization, rather than legal analysis.
