Marine Le Pen’s fight to remain on the 2027 presidential ballot officially moved to a Paris appellate court this Tuesday. At risk is not just her freedom, but her viability as a candidate for France’s highest office.
The stakes could not be higher for the veteran far-right leader. If the appellate judges uphold the previous March 2025 conviction, Le Pen faces an immediate five-year ban from public office. Consequently, this ruling would effectively decapitate the National Rally’s current leadership structure ahead of the next national vote.
The “Plan B” Contingency
Political observers are watching the proceedings closely for signs of a forced succession. Should the Marine Le Pen appeal fail, the party must pivot instantly.
The likely beneficiary is Jordan Bardella. At 30 years old, the current National Rally president has seen his popularity skyrocket. He is widely considered the designated “Plan B” if his mentor is legally barred from running. Therefore, this trial decides whether the far-right runs a veteran standard-bearer or a fresh face in 2027.
Anatomy of the Alleged Fraud
The core legal battle revolves to a decade-long investigation into the misuse of European Union resources. Last year, a lower court found Le Pen and eight other lawmakers guilty of diverting over €4 million ($4.67 million).
Prosecutors established that between 2004 and 2016, the group utilized EU funds to pay staff salaries. However, these employees were allegedly working for the domestic party rather than performing duties for European parliamentary assistants. The court noted that while Le Pen did not personally profit, the diversion violated strict EU funding rules.
Defense Strategy and Timeline
Le Pen walked into the courthouse on January 13 without speaking to the press. Nevertheless, her stance has been consistent since the initial investigation. She maintains that the administrative lines between parliamentary and political work are naturally blurred.
“I hope to convince the new judges of my innocence,” Le Pen stated regarding her defense strategy.
Her legal team aims to overturn a sentence that includes a €100,000 fine and a four-year prison term—two of which would be served under house arrest. Currently, these penalties are suspended pending the appeal outcome.
Hearings are scheduled to conclude by February 12, 2026. A final verdict is expected before summer, giving the French right a narrow window to finalize its strategy for 2027.
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