Le Pen conviction upheld, shorter ban keeps her in 2027 race

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Tuesday she will still run for president next year, after an appeals court confirmed her embezzlement conviction but reduced the ban on holding public office. The court’s decision shortens the original five-year prohibition, allowing Le Pen to stand in the 2027 election while remaining under legal scrutiny. Le Pen was found guilty of misusing European Union funds to pay party staff. The court’s ruling, while upholding the conviction, gave her a path to the ballot box by trimming the disqualification period. She has denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal further. The case has drawn wide attention, as Le Pen leads a major political force in France. Dr Katy Brown, a fellow in Language and Social Justice at Manchester Metropolitan University, told FRANCE 24 that the ruling “could reshape the dynamics of the upcoming campaign” by keeping Le Pen politically active.