Marine Le Pen, the prominent figurehead of France's far-right political scene, has formally launched an appeal against her criminal conviction. This legal move is a critical step in her bid to run for the French presidency in 2027.
The Conviction and the Appeal
Le Pen, who leads the populist National Rally (RN) party, was found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds. The court ruled she had diverted more than €3 million (approximately £2.5 million) in EU money to pay party staff. For this, she received a four-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from holding public office.
She has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the guilty verdict as a "political decision" and an assault on legal principles. Her appeal, lodged on Monday 12 January 2026, will trigger a complete rehearing of the case. The court has agreed to fast-track the process, with a final ruling anticipated by the summer of 2026.
The Stakes for the 2027 Presidential Election
The outcome of this appeal is politically monumental. A successful appeal would clear the legal obstacles and allow Le Pen to stand as a candidate in the 2027 French presidential election, where she is expected to be a major contender. Failure, however, would see the prison sentence and the public office ban upheld, definitively barring her from the race.
In a notable parallel, former US President Donald Trump has reportedly compared Le Pen's legal troubles to his own experiences with the American judicial system, framing them as politically motivated attacks.
National Rally's Contingency Plan
Recognising the high-risk nature of the appeal, Le Pen's party has already prepared a "Plan B". Should she be ruled ineligible, the National Rally's presidential mantle is expected to pass to her protégé, Jordan Bardella. This succession plan aims to ensure the party's far-right agenda remains central to the 2027 campaign, regardless of its founder's legal fate.
The coming months will therefore be decisive, not only for Le Pen's personal political future but for the landscape of French and European politics. All eyes will be on the French courts as they deliberate a case that could reshape the next presidential contest.
