France’s presidential frontrunner has one big obstacle in her way: the ability to run for office.
What happened: Marine Le Pen, the long-time leader of France’s far-right National Rally (NR) party, has been barred from public office for five years as part of an embezzlement conviction, meaning she wouldn’t be able to run during the next French federal election.
- Le Pen also faces a four-year sentence that would begin when legal proceedings are over — she’s appealing, and the courts aim to have the case wrapped up by next summer.
Catch-up: Le Pen was accused alongside 24 other NR officials of using over €4 million in EU parliament funds to pay party staffers, which is against regulations. Among other things, Le Pen used money meant for parliamentary operations to pay for her assistant and bodyguard.
Why it matters: Le Pen finished second to President Emmanuel Macron in the past two elections, with the gap narrowing over time. With Macron ineligible to run again — and potentially leaving with his party’s popularity levels in les toilettes — she was considered the frontrunner for the 2027 election.
- While in leadership, Le Pen had softened her own image and that of the party her father founded, taking its anti-immigrant, pro-French identity platform from the fringes to the mainstream.
Yes, but: The conviction has sparked outrage and could animate support at the polls for the NR. Plus, Le Pen’s social media-savvy protégé, 29-year-old NR president Jordan Bardella, has developed his own support base in recent years and could be a viable replacement.—QH