Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Marine Le Pen Appeals EU Funds Misuse Conviction
Marine Le Pen, a leader in France, is appealing a court decision that said she and others took money meant for the European Parliament and used it for their political party.
The court said they took about 4 million euros.
Because of this, Le Pen was banned from holding public office for five years and was also given a prison sentence and a fine.
She says she did nothing wrong and hopes new judges will agree with her.
If she loses her appeal, she might not be able to run for president in 2027.
Her party and others involved are also appealing their convictions.
The court will decide before the summer if Le Pen can run for office again.
Marine Le Pen and 8 others convicted of misusing 4 million euros of EU funds for their political party.
Le Pen received a five-year ban from public office, a four-year prison sentence (two suspended), and a 100,000 euro fine.
Appeal hearing began on January 13 and will end on February 12, with a ruling expected before summer 2024.
Le Pen maintains her innocence and hopes new judges will overturn her conviction.
If the appeal fails, Le Pen's protege, Jordan Bardella, is expected to run for president in 2027.
- Who
- Marine Le Pen and 8 other former National Rally (RN) lawmakers
- What
- Appeal against conviction for misusing EU funds
- When
- Appeal hearing from January 13 to February 12, 2024; ruling expected before summer 2024
- Where
- Paris, France
- Why
- To potentially overturn a five-year ban from public office and other penalties
- Defendants
- Marine Le Pen and 8 others
- Amount Misappropriated
- 4 million euros
- Sentence
- 5-year office ban, 4-year prison sentence (2 suspended), 100,000 euro fine
- Appeal Period
- January 13 - February 12
- Expected Ruling
- Before summer 2024
- Potential Replacement
- Jordan Bardella
- Damages Awarded
- 3 million euros to European Parliament
- Party Fine
- 2 million euros (half suspended)