Le Pen's court hearing shows mainstream parties are running out of time

In a Paris courtroom, the first act of the 2027 French presidential election is already under way.

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Last week Marine Le Pen began to answer judges’ questions in her appeal against a conviction relating to the embezzlement of European parliament funds.If she wins, the far-right leader will be free to run for the presidency for a fourth time. If the sentence is upheld, her 30-year-old protege, Jordan Bardella, is almost certain to take her place in the race.

Having presented the original verdict as an assault on democracy by judges bent on thwarting her political ambitions, Ms Le Pen has softened her stance. If the appeals court is swayed by arguments that offences committed by her National Rally party were inadvertent, a five-year ban on running for public office may be reduced or overturned. Even if she loses, however, her political opponents may not celebrate too enthusiastically.