French Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Le Pen, Threatening Her 2027 Presidential Bid
Prosecutors on Wednesday requested a two-year prison sentence and five-year ban from holding public office for Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, The Associated Press reports.
The request comes amidst a trial concerning the alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds, a case that could significantly impact Le Pen’s political future, potentially barring her from running for president in 2027.
Le Pen and 25 other party officials are accused of misusing funds designated for European Union parliamentary aides, instead using the money to pay staff working for the party between 2004 and 2016, in violation of EU regulations. Prosecutors are seeking a guilty verdict for all defendants, including a €300,000 fine and an additional three years of suspended prison sentence for Le Pen, along with a €2 million fine for the party.
The trial, which began in September and is expected to conclude on November 27, has drawn intense scrutiny. Le Pen, who came in second to Emmanuel Macron in both the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, has maintained her innocence and has accused prosecutors of attempting to derail her political career. She believes the charges are politically motivated and aim to prevent her from running for president again.
Le Pen has been a forceful presence throughout the trial, actively participating in the proceedings and expressing her frustration with the allegations against her. She has argued that the party’s practices were legitimate and that the accusations are based on misinterpretations of their work.
The European Parliament, which is a plaintiff in the case, claims the alleged embezzlement cost them €4.5 million. Prosecutors have emphasized the severity of the alleged fraud, highlighting its organized, systemic nature and the damage it inflicted on the democratic process.
