In brief
French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen confirmed she will seek the presidency in 2027, even as she fights a conviction that bars her from campaigning in an electronic tag. The Paris appeal court ruled that she may stand for office while wearing the tag. Le Pen is now pursuing all legal avenues to clear her name. The decision comes after the court found her guilty of misusing €2.8 million in EU funds in a fabricated jobs scheme. The ruling could set a precedent for future political candidates under similar circumstances.
Marine Le Pen, the striking leader of France’s National Rally party, confirmed in a televised interview that she will run for the French presidency in 2027.
She told French TV that she intends to appeal a conviction for misusing €2.8 million in EU funds in a fake jobs scheme, a decision that requires her to wear an electronic tag for a year. “I can’t campaign with a tag,” Le Pen said, adding that she will pursue all legal avenues to defend her innocence.
Hours earlier, an appeal court in Paris found her guilty of the misappropriation but ruled she could still stand for presidency while wearing the tag. The outcome has sparked debate over the compatibility of a criminal conviction with electoral eligibility.
