French Prosecutors Demand Upholding of Marine Le Pen's Election Ban
In a significant development that could reshape the French political landscape, state prosecutors have formally requested that appeal court judges maintain a five-year election ban on far-right leader Marine Le Pen. The recommendation comes as part of an ongoing appeal against her conviction for embezzling European parliament funds in a fake jobs scandal that spanned more than a decade.
Potential 2027 Presidential Race Exclusion
Should the judges grant the prosecutors' request, Le Pen would almost certainly be prevented from standing in France's crucial 2027 presidential election. The 57-year-old leader of the anti-immigration National Rally (RN) had been considered one of the frontrunners for next year's presidential contest until her initial conviction last March resulted in an immediate five-year ban from seeking public office.
The prosecutors have also recommended a four-year prison sentence, with three years suspended and one year to be served at home under electronic monitoring. Additionally, they have requested a substantial €100,000 fine against the political figure.
"Seriousness of Charges" Cited by Prosecution
Stéphane Madoz-Blanchet, one of the state prosecutors handling the case, emphasised the gravity of the allegations during Tuesday's hearing. "The seriousness of the charges means any other sanction would be inadequate," he stated firmly before the appeal court.
A panel of appeal judges will now deliberate on the final sentencing decision, with a verdict expected "before the summer" after several months of consideration. This timeline places the judgment well ahead of any potential presidential campaigning period.
Alleged "Industrial" System of Fund Misuse
Prosecutors presented a detailed case alleging that Le Pen was at the centre of what they described as a "thought-out", "centralised" and almost "industrial" system designed to embezzle European parliament funds. According to their evidence, taxpayer money allocated to European parliament members for paying assistants based in Strasbourg or Brussels was systematically diverted between 2004 and 2016 to pay party workers in France.
These staff members in France had no connection to work undertaken at the European parliament, prosecutors asserted, violating the parliament's clear rules about fund usage. The estimated loss to European funds totals approximately €4.8 million (£4.2 million), with substantial savings allegedly accruing to the party, then called Front National, through this arrangement.
Documented Evidence and Judicial Criticism
The prosecution highlighted that the system was thoroughly documented through email exchanges and party papers, providing what they described as compelling evidence of organised misuse of funds. Prosecutors also criticised Le Pen for her public attacks on judges following last year's verdict, during which she referred to a "tyranny of judges" attempting to prevent her presidential run.
State prosecutor Thierry Ramonatxo addressed these comments directly, stating that judges simply apply laws voted for by the people's representatives in parliament. "Speaking of a 'tyranny of judges', of a 'violation of the state of law' or of 'political assassination' is not part of the judicial debate in a democratic society," he remarked. "It is not part of a debate of ideas but rather is aimed at discrediting all judicial actions in their entirety."
Ramonatxo noted that such rhetoric had exposed judges to death threats and represented a dangerous departure from proper judicial discourse. He observed, however, that Le Pen had demonstrated a "change of tone" in the appeal court, which maintained a calmer atmosphere compared to her media appearances last year.
Legal Proceedings and Political Succession
The prosecutors did not request that the five-year ban take immediate effect, leaving room for a potential final appeal to France's highest court. Nevertheless, this technical detail is unlikely to alter the fundamental reality that a maintained ban would effectively prevent Le Pen from standing in next spring's presidential election.
During the hearing, Le Pen sat in the front row of the court, taking notes and occasionally shaking her head as prosecutors outlined their case against her and ten other party members who have appealed last year's verdict. A further thirteen individuals convicted in the original trial have not pursued appeals.
Outside the courtroom before the prosecution's summing up, Le Pen told journalists with characteristic defiance: "I'm a believer, so I believe in miracles." Defence lawyers are scheduled to present their closing speeches next week, marking the final stages of this protracted legal battle.
Potential Successor Waiting in Wings
Should the election ban be upheld, political attention would shift to Le Pen's protege and party president, Jordan Bardella. The 30-year-old has been increasingly positioned as a clear alternative candidate, with Le Pen recently telling La Tribune Dimanche: "Jordan Bardella can win in my place." She added that regardless of the legal outcome, her party would continue to dominate and its "ideas will survive."
This case represents not just a personal legal challenge for Le Pen but a potentially decisive moment for France's political future, with implications that could extend well beyond the courtroom and into the heart of the nation's democratic processes.
