French far right leader cannot run for public office for five years after court finds her guilty of embezzlement of European parliament funds
Le Pen lawyer’s comments are not surprising, as Le Pen was always expected to fiercely challenge the court’s decision.
But it’s worth keeping in mind that while the appeal would suspend the jail sentence and the fine, it would not have an impact on the “ineligibility” ban, which remains in place in the meantime. That’s due to the key part of the decision we waited for earlier, on the “immediacy” of the ban.
The French media say the appeal would be unlikely to be heard before 2026, leaving the far-right with a prolonged period of uncertainty about Le Pen’s ability to run in the 2027 race – and on a back foot as others build up to their campaigns.