On March 31, 2025, a French court will announce a decision in the case of the leader of the right-wing party Marine Le Pen and her associates, who are accused of misuse of European Union funds. This decision could have far-reaching political consequences. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
Details
It is noted that the prosecutor's office demands to ban Le Pen from holding public office for a period of five years, which may prevent her from participating in the 2027 presidential election. Her lawyer called it an"attack on democracy.
Marine Le Pen, her party then known as the National Front, and former MPs and parliamentary assistants are accused of using funds intended to work in the European Parliament to pay workers who actually performed tasks for the party.
Le Pen and her co-defendants deny the charges, arguing that the use of these funds was legitimate and consistent with a broader understanding of the duties of a parliamentary assistant.
Le Pen's lawyer, Rudolf Bosselu, on the last day of the trial called the prosecutor's demand for an immediate ban on holding office "weapons of mass destruction against democracy." He stressed that this issue concerns not only Marine Le Pen, but also the 13 million voters who supported her in the previous elections.,
Le Pen, who lost to Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, is currently considered the main contender for the 2027 elections.
In the event of a guilty verdict, the court may decide not to impose a ban on holding public office immediately, which will leave her a chance to participate in the elections.
Le Pen later told reporters that after the trial is completed, she hopes that the judges will be convinced of the defense's arguments. She also stressed that the trial does not affect her position on the government of prime minister Michel Barnier, whom her party threatens to express no confidence in because of the budget for 2025.
Recall
The conviction of Marine Le Pen may deprive of her right to run in the 2027 presidential election and affect support for the "National Association".