The National Rally leader declared on French television her intention to remain a candidate in the 2027 presidential race despite being found guilty of misappropriating EU funds.
Marine Le Pen confirmed on the French TV channel TF1 that she plans to participate in the 2027 presidential elections in France, despite the confirmation by a French court of her conviction for embezzling European Union funds.
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«Tonight, I remain a candidate for the presidential election,» Le Pen stated, adding she intends to appeal to France’s supreme judicial body, the court of cassation. **»**My goal is to exhaust every legal route to prove my innocence in this case.»
Le Pen clarified that her appeal to the Court of Cassation aims to annul the initial sentence, which imposed four years of imprisonment, including two years served with an electronic monitoring bracelet, a five-year ban on holding public office, and a €100,000 fine.
These remarks are predicted to reduce doubts about the future political path of the National Rally leader after the Paris appeals court on Tuesday affirmed her 2025 conviction for EU funds embezzlement yet permitted her to run in the 2027 presidential elections.
On Tuesday, the court sentenced the thrice-presidential candidate to three years in prison, with one year to be served under house arrest with an electronic monitor, a €100,000 fine, and a 45-month disqualification from public office, 30 months of which were suspended. The duration for wearing the monitoring device was shortened to one year.
Previously, she had expressed reluctance to campaign while wearing the bracelet due to mobility restrictions. However, her tone on Tuesday appeared more resolute.
The judges decided to reduce the original five-year ineligibility period imposed in 2025, which had prevented her from running. The ruling now sets an effective ban period of 15 months, a term she has already completed following immediate enforcement of the 2025 sentence.
In a statement issued post-verdict, the judges emphasized that voters’ right to choose was considered when adjusting the disqualification period.
The Court of Appeal also confirmed the convictions of Le Pen’s eleven co-defendants who filed appeals.