Le Pen's political future to be decided as verdict arrives in embezzlement case

The future of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen – and France's political landscape – will be decided today when a court hands down its verdict on charges that she and party officials embezzled money from the European parliament.

- Kim Willsher

If convicted, the three-time presidential candidate of the National Rally (RN) could be barred from standing against Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 presidential election.

Public prosecutors have demanded that Le Pen be given a €300,000 (£250,000) fine and a prison sentence, and that she be prevented from holding or seeking to hold a political position for five years.

On Friday, in a case that did not involve Le Pen, France's constitutional council delivered a blow to the RN figurehead when it ruled that politicians can be barred from office immediately if they are convicted of a crime.

Le Pen has accused prosecutors of seeking her "political death" and said making her ineligible for office would confound voters' wishes and threaten the democratic process.