A verdict is expected today in Marine Le Pen’s trial, where she and 24 co-defendants face serious embezzlement allegations involving EU funds. Le Pen warns that the prosecution aims for her “political death,” potentially resulting in imprisonment and a five-year election ban. The prosecution seeks immediate enforcement of any penalties, which could jeopardize her 2027 presidential ambitions. Despite these pressures, Le Pen remains defiant, asserting her innocence and emphasizing the political implications of the case.
Verdict Anticipated in Le Pen’s Trial
Today marks a pivotal moment as the verdict in the trial against Marine Le Pen and 24 co-defendants is expected. The case revolves around serious allegations of embezzlement of EU funds, with potential implications that could reshape France’s political landscape.
The Stakes for Marine Le Pen
Marine Le Pen is acutely aware of the high stakes involved. As she articulated in a mid-November interview on TF1, the prosecution seeks nothing less than her “political death.” The three-time presidential candidate for the National Rally (RN) faces severe penalties, including imprisonment, hefty fines, and the potential loss of her right to stand for election for five years. Such a ruling would bar her from participating in any elections during that period.
Additionally, the prosecution is pushing for immediate enforcement of the verdict, meaning that any penalties imposed would take effect right away, even if Le Pen chooses to appeal. Le Pen views this as a blatant political maneuver, warning the French public that an irreversible decision restricting their voting options would constitute a grave assault on democracy. Despite the mounting pressure, the 56-year-old remains composed and steadfastly denies all allegations.
The prosecution claims to have substantial evidence indicating that Le Pen was at the core of a systematic embezzlement operation that violated democratic principles for the financial gain of the RN. These allegations span from 2004 to 2016, with estimated damages amounting to €4.5 million.
This isn’t the first instance of legal action against political figures for misappropriation of EU funds. Earlier in 2024, a similar case was brought against the Mouvement Démocrate party led by French Prime Minister François Bayrou. The RN case, however, is viewed as particularly serious by the prosecution.
In a related ruling, an EU court mandated that Le Pen repay €300,000 to the European Parliament. Should the judges agree to the prosecution’s request for immediate execution, the political ramifications could be significant. Le Pen’s aspirations for the 2027 presidential bid would be jeopardized, necessitating a complete strategic and personnel overhaul within the National Rally.
Despite this, the party appears unprepared for such a scenario. Sébastien Chenu, the party’s vice president, minimized the potential fallout, asserting that their ideology transcends individual representatives. He expressed confidence in Le Pen’s readiness and capability, emphasizing their organizational resilience in adapting to future challenges.
French media reports indicate considerable uncertainty within the National Rally regarding the party’s next steps if Le Pen is unable to run in the upcoming election. The potential consequences of provisional execution will likely weigh heavily on the judges’ decision.
Political scientist and constitutional law expert Benjamin Morel offers a critical viewpoint, suggesting that enforcing a disqualification penalty against Le Pen might be difficult to justify. He argues that since she is no longer a member of the European Parliament and the alleged embezzlements ceased long ago, the rationale for provisional enforcement weakens. Morel believes that the risk of further violations is minimal and, therefore, such enforcement is not urgently warranted.
The trial continues to unfold amidst a backdrop of heightened anticipation. On the same day, the Constitutional Council made a significant ruling concerning a local politician from Mayotte, who was stripped of his voting rights. Although this decision doesn’t directly affect Le Pen, it serves as a reminder of the need for proportionality in provisional executions. Morel interprets this as a positive sign for Le Pen’s case, emphasizing the importance of balancing citizen voting rights with candidates’ eligibility.
As the verdict looms, Le Pen remains outwardly calm, asserting that the judges wield significant influence over the future of her party. She expresses skepticism that they would impose immediate enforcement of the verdict, which could thwart her 2027 candidacy, suggesting that such a drastic step would be unlikely given the stakes involved.