The verdict against Le Pen

Setback for Le Pen – the demand for the 2027 election remains

The prosecution is still demanding that the National Rally frontwoman Marine Le Pen be banned from all public office in France for five years. This is evident during the prosecutors' closing arguments as the appeal case now begins to go to trial.

- There is no reason to pretend that there is any drama, said prosecutor Thierry Ramonatxo, before adding that the demands for sanctions remain.

This was seen in advance as the most important news of the day. If the court continues to heed the demand, she will be banned from the presidential election next year.

Ramonatxo was also strongly critical of Le Pen for the accusations that the court has a political bias, writes RTL. The fact that the judges have been portrayed as opponents has undermined the entire legal process, he says.

Le Pen has been convicted of embezzling EU funds.

The prosecutor's closing argument began at 1 p.m. and is expected to last almost six hours.

The verdict against Le Pen — that's the point

• Marine Le Pen was sentenced in March 2025 to four years in prison and a five-year ban from running for public office for fraud with EU funds.
• The verdict means that Le Pen cannot run in the 2027 presidential election, but she has appealed and a final decision is expected in the summer of 2026.
• Le Pen and several party colleagues in the National Rally were considered to have used EU funds intended for assistants to pay party employees in France.
• The verdict has sparked strong reactions in France, with demonstrations, divided political reactions and death threats against the judges.
• If Le Pen is prevented from running, party leader Jordan Bardella is pointed out as the likely presidential candidate for the National Rally.