France’s Le Pen in court with bid on line

FRENCH far-right leader Marine Le Pen was in court yesterday to appeal an embezzlement conviction, with her 2027 presidential ambitions hanging in the balance.

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The appeal comes after a French court last year barred her from running for office for five years over a European Parliament fake-jobs scam involving her and other officials from her National Rally party.

The three-time presidential candidate was also handed a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and fined €100 000.

Le Pen, 57, who has always maintained her innocence, is now appealing in hopes of clearing the way for a fourth bid to become president.

The hearing is expected to last a month, with a decision expected this summer.

If the court upholds the first ruling, she will be barred from running in the 2027 election, widely seen as her best - and possibly last - chance to win the country’s top job.