The verdict against Le Pen

Le Pen to run in the 2027 election – despite the verdict

The far-right politician Marine Le Pen is running in the French presidential election in 2027 – despite today’s verdict. She said this in a television interview, Reuters reports.

The Paris Court of Appeal sentenced her earlier on Tuesday to a 45-month ban from political office, 30 of which are conditional, for embezzlement of public funds. In practice, she is therefore only banned for 15 months. The court writes in a press release that it has “taken into account the voters’ freedom of choice”, according to France Info.

She is also sentenced to three years in prison, two of which are conditional, part of which will be served through electronic monitoring, writes Le Monde.

Marine Le Pen has previously said that she would not run if she was convicted. She intends to appeal the verdict.

Criticism of Le Pen's decision: "Taking democracy hostage"

Several of the far-right politician Marine Le Pen's opponents have criticized her decision to run in the presidential election next year despite Tuesday's conviction. This is reported by French media.

Othman Nasrou, secretary general of the conservative Republicans, accuses the National Rally leader of "taking democracy hostage" and weakening France's institutions.

- Her candidacy despite the verdict is yet another U-turn that undermines the French people's trust in politics, he says according to Le Figaro.

Far-left party The Indomitable France's Clémence Guetté writes on X that "the great battle" has now begun.

"She has been convicted of stealing from the French people. We will defeat her at the ballot box."

 Analysis: Le Pen Could Become France’s Phoenix After Verdict

It’s unclear whether Marine Le Pen has a chance of becoming president when she runs in next year’s French election after the verdict, writes Clea Caulcutt at Politico.

“While it could bolster her support among her most loyal voters, it risks hampering her efforts to win over new voters, especially among the traditional conservative right.”

She’s already lost three times, but her supporters are more confident than ever of success. The BBC’s Katya Adler writes that Le Pen has made several comebacks in her political career, after all.

“Her outstretched arms on the social media campaign poster should perhaps make us think of a phoenix rising from the ashes.”

The New York Times’ Mark Landler believes that France will find itself in uncharted territory with Le Pen’s campaign in shackles.

“But analysts say she could use the situation to portray herself as an outsider fighting against the establishment.”