French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen has been banned from running for political office for five years after being found guilty of embezzling European Union funds, in a politically explosive ruling that has shattered her hopes of winning the presidency in 2027.
A Paris court also handed Le Pen, who was the frontrunner for the next election, a four-year prison sentence with two years suspended, to be served under house arrest, and a โฌ100,000 ($108,000) fine. She can appeal but the ban will stand unless overturned by another court.
Her party, National Rally (RN), was ordered to pay โฌ2 million in fines for the โฌ4.1 million that it was accused of embezzling.
The courtโs presiding judge, Bรฉnรฉdicte de Perthuis, said Le Penโs actions amounted to a โserious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe, but especially in France.โ She said Le Penโs immediate ban on standing for office was tied to โdemocratic public unrestโ that would result from the election of a person convicted of embezzlement. (CNN)