Le Pen presidential bid at stake as appeal case begins

France’s former far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, appeared in court yesterday to appeal an embezzlement conviction, a case whose outcome could significantly impact her 2027 presidential ambitions. The 57-year-old is challenging a March ruling that found her guilty of misusing European parliament funds.

- ANGELA CHARLTON

That verdict imposed a five-year ban from elected office, two years of house arrest with an electronic tag, an additional two-year suspended sentence, and a €100,000 (£87,000) fine.

Le Pen remained silent upon her arrival at the courthouse. As the trial began, she stood quietly before the three-judge panel while the court president read out the reasons for the proceedings. The courtroom was reportedly packed with dozens of journalists and members of the public.

"I hope I'll be able to convince the judges of my innocence," Le Pen told reporters on Monday. "It's a new court with new judges. The case will be reset, so to speak."

Le Pen was seen as the potential frontrunner to succeed Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last year's ruling, which sent shock waves through French politics. She denounced it as "a democratic scandal".

Her National Rally party has been coming out on top in opinion polls, and Le Pen alleged that the judicial system brought out “the nuclear bomb” to prevent her from becoming France’s president.