Marine Le Pen out of the game: Main candidate for French presidency facing trial

The political climate in France is tense. Marine Le Pen, the leading candidate in polls for the 2027 presidential election and leader of the far-right National Rally party, is unlikely to run for the election. The right has won the first round of parliamentary elections in France.

What’s happening in the City of Love?

The Paris court has found Marine Le Pen guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. Specifically, the investigation revealed that between 2004 and 2016, they improperly withdrew nearly €3 million from the European Parliament’s funds by hiring fake assistants, using the money to further their political goals in the country.

But that’s not all. In addition to Le Pen, charges have also been brought against eight party members.

Another 12 members of Parliament were found guilty of “hiding information.” According to court data, the damage caused to the European Parliament amounts to €2.9 million.

In total, 24 members of the National Rally are involved in the case, including Le Pen. They have all denied the charges against them. The maximum penalty for this charge is up to ten years in prison.