French Prosecutors Demand Upholding of Marine Le Pen's Election Ban in Final Appeal Stage
French state prosecutors have formally requested that appeal court judges maintain a five-year election ban on Marine Le Pen, the prominent far-right leader, in a case concerning the embezzlement of European parliament funds. This crucial development could effectively prevent Le Pen from standing as a candidate in France's 2027 presidential election, marking a significant moment in the country's political landscape.
Prosecutors Outline Serious Charges and Recommended Sentences
During the final stages of the appeal trial at Paris's court of appeal, prosecutors presented a comprehensive case against Le Pen and other members of her party. They recommended a four-year prison sentence, with three years suspended and one year to be served at home under electronic monitoring, alongside a substantial €100,000 fine. Stéphane Madoz-Blanchet, one of the state prosecutors, emphasised the gravity of the charges, stating that "any other sanction would be inadequate" given the severity of the allegations.
The prosecutors argued that Le Pen was at the centre of a "thought-out", "centralised", and almost "industrial" system designed to misuse European parliament funds. They detailed how taxpayer money, allocated for assistants based in Strasbourg or Brussels, was diverted from 2004 to 2016 to pay party workers in France, in clear violation of parliamentary rules. This scheme, which resulted in an estimated loss of €4.8 million to European funds, was well-documented through email exchanges and party papers, according to the prosecution.
Le Pen's Defence and Political Implications
Marine Le Pen, who leads the anti-immigration National Rally (RN), has consistently denied any wrongdoing, telling the court that there was no systematic plan to misuse funds. However, prosecutors criticised her for making public attacks on judges following last year's verdict, where she referred to a "tyranny of judges" attempting to block her presidential ambitions. Thierry Ramonatxo, another state prosecutor, highlighted the dangers of such rhetoric, noting that judges had faced death threats as a result.
Ramonatxo stated, "Speaking of a conspiracy of judges is not an argument, it's a withdrawal reflex each time the cause seems lost." He observed a "change of tone" in Le Pen's demeanour during the appeal proceedings, contrasting it with her more confrontational media appearances last year.
Timeline and Potential Outcomes
The appeal court judges are expected to deliberate for several months, with a verdict anticipated "before the summer". While prosecutors did not request the election ban to take immediate effect, allowing for a potential final appeal to France's highest court, a five-year ban would likely preclude Le Pen from participating in the 2027 presidential race. This has led to speculation about her political successor, with Le Pen recently endorsing Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old party president, as a viable alternative.
In a statement to La Tribune Dimanche, Le Pen remarked, "Jordan Bardella can win in my place." She expressed confidence that her party's influence would endure, regardless of the court's decision. Defence lawyers are scheduled to present their closing arguments next week, setting the stage for the final judicial ruling that could reshape French politics for years to come.
