Le Pen Guilty: Verdict Threatens Her Presidential Run

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is appealing a court verdict that found her guilty of misusing European Union funds. The ruling could block her from running in France’s next presidential election, a moment that may decide her political future. Le Pen, a three-time candidate for the presidency, was convicted of using EU money to pay staff who worked for her party’s national operations. The court must now decide whether to impose a ban on holding public office, which would disqualify her from the 2027 race. Le Pen has denied the charges and called the verdict politically motivated. Her appeal is expected to take months, leaving her campaign in legal limbo.