Paris, March 31, 2025 – A bombshell verdict has rocked French politics, potentially reshaping the landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party and a well-known pro-Russian figure, has been found guilty of embezzling funds from the European Parliament. According to “Le Monde”, a Paris court sentenced the politician to four years in prison—two years conditionally and two years under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. But the most devastating blow for Le Pen is the immediate five-year ban from holding any elected office, effectively barring her from the 2027 presidential race.

The case that has derailed Le Pen’s political future dates back to 2015, when an anonymous source within the European Parliament flagged potential misconduct. The allegations centered on the fictitious employment of parliamentary assistants, who, according to investigators, were working for Le Pen’s party rather than the European institutions they were supposed to serve. The total amount embezzled is estimated at 137,000 euros—funds that Le Pen is now ordered to repay to the EU budget. This isn’t her first brush with such accusations: she was previously implicated in a similar scheme involving 339,000 euros, which she was also ordered to reimburse.

The trial, which began in September 2024, was a grueling ordeal for Le Pen and her allies. Alongside her, 24 co-defendants, including members of the National Rally, were also found guilty despite their claims of innocence. The verdict takes effect immediately, though Le Pen has the right to appeal. However, legal experts suggest that her chances of a swift reversal are slim, especially since France’s Constitutional Council recently upheld the legality of such immediate penalties.

The ruling has sent shockwaves through France, as Le Pen was widely seen as the frontrunner for the 2027 presidential election. Recent polls placed her support between 34% and 37%—well ahead of her closest rivals. Her popularity had been on the rise amid widespread dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s policies, particularly his controversial reforms and handling of economic challenges. Le Pen had managed to soften her radical image somewhat, gaining traction among rural voters and the working class, who saw her as an alternative to the “elitist” Macron.

But the verdict has dashed her ambitions. The five-year ban on running for office means Le Pen will miss the 2027 election—a moment she likely saw as her best shot at the presidency. Her allies have already decried the ruling as a “political assassination.” Jordan Bardella, the official leader of the National Rally, stated, “Today, French democracy was executed.” Le Pen herself left the courtroom before the verdict was announced, fueling speculation about her next moves.

Marine Le Pen has long been associated with a pro-Russian stance, a position that has drawn criticism both in France and abroad. She openly opposed sanctions against Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and even met with Vladimir Putin in 2017, just before the French presidential election that year. Her party, the National Rally, is also known for its anti-EU rhetoric and skepticism toward military support for Ukraine. In 2024, after snap parliamentary elections where her party gained significant ground, Le Pen and Bardella vowed to “draw red lines” on aid to Ukraine, particularly regarding the supply of long-range missiles.

This stance has made Le Pen a polarizing figure for many European leaders, though it resonated with a segment of French voters skeptical of the EU and NATO. Now, with her political career in jeopardy, the question looms: can the National Rally find a new leader capable of maintaining her influence?

The verdict against Marine Le Pen could have far-reaching implications for France’s political landscape. On one hand, her disqualification opens the door for other candidates who might have a better chance of uniting a fractured electorate. On the other hand, her supporters—millions of voters—may view the court’s decision as an attack on their rights, potentially fueling protest sentiments.

As Le Pen prepares to appeal, her opponents are already celebrating her downfall. But is this truly the end for her? In politics, as in life, miracles can happen. While Marine Le Pen may seem sidelined from the big game for now, her name could still make headlines again. For now, as France braces for new political battles, one question remains: who will emerge as the next leader of the far-right, and can they replicate Le Pen’s success?