Far right leader Marine Le Pen, who considered herself the favourite in the 2027 presidential elections where President Emmanuel Macron cannot stand again, has been given a four-year prison term and fine after being convicted of a fake jobs scheme at the EU parliament. But the most serious part of the conviction is a five-year ban on standing for office, effective immediately. But Le Pen and her National Rally party have remained defiant, pinning hopes on an appeal that they are counting on to reverse the decision before the 2027 election.
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00:00French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement over a fake
00:05job scheme at the EU Parliament, given a four-year prison term and a fine.
00:09But the most serious part of the conviction is a five-year ban on standing for office,
00:13effective immediately.
00:15The verdict, as it stands, means Le Pen would be unable to run in the 2027 French presidential
00:21election in what would be her fourth and likely best-ever chance of winning.
00:26But are there any chances she could still be able to run?
00:33Since her conviction, Le Pen and her national rally party have remained defiant, pinning
00:36hopes that she might still be able to stand in the election if an appeal reverses the
00:41decision.
00:42The day after her conviction, a French appeals
00:56court said it would expedite Le Pen's case, allowing for a trial to be held by summer
01:002026, well below the usual 18-24 month timeline.
01:05If the appeal judge is more lenient, the national rally leader could escape immediate ineligibility.
01:11If the appeal judge is more lenient, the national rally leader could escape immediate ineligibility.
01:27Even if the appeal is held as soon as possible, the court may still confirm Le Pen's ineligibility.
01:33In this case, she could attempt to appeal to the Court of Cassation, France's highest
01:36criminal and civil court.
01:38But the process is complicated and would take a long time.
01:41The decision would likely come too late to allow her to run in time for the April 2027
01:47election.
01:50Faced with so much uncertainty, the national rally could decide to sideline Le Pen.
01:55In this case, her 29-year-old protégé and party leader Jordan Bardella would be the
02:00obvious option to replace her.
02:02Choosing another candidate right away would ensure the party could hold a proper campaign.
02:07But there are doubts even within the party over whether Bardella has the experience needed.
02:13At this stage, there is no plan for Le Pen to be relegated to the background, stating
02:17that she still wants to be president, with Bardella as prime minister.
02:33Le Pen has also announced plans to appeal to the Constitutional Council, France's
02:38highest constitutional authority.
02:40The council would rule whether her elimination was incompatible with a voter's right to
02:44choose.
02:45The national rally leader also aims to approach the European Court of Human Rights over the
02:49conviction.
02:50Le Pen has said that she will use all possible avenues of appeal.
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