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Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, along with 11 others, has appealed against her conviction in a high-profile embezzlement case that has sent shockwaves through the French political landscape, a judicial source confirmed on Friday.
On March 31, a Paris court found 24 individuals guilty of misusing European Parliament funds by employing parliamentary assistants who were in fact working for the RN party. The case revealed a scheme that allowed the financially struggling party to draw salaries for aides through EU funds under false pretences.
The verdict was a major setback for Le Pen, who received a partially suspended prison sentence, a fine, and was barred from running in elections for five years — a penalty that could derail her ambitions to stand in the 2027 presidential race.
However, a potential reprieve emerged after the Paris Court of Appeal agreed to consider her appeal, with a decision expected by the summer of 2026. If the ruling is overturned or modified, Le Pen could still be eligible to stand in 2027.
According to the source, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, 12 of those convicted — including the RN itself — submitted their appeals before Thursday’s midnight deadline. This means that half of those found guilty have opted not to contest the court’s ruling.
Among those appealing is Louis Aliot, RN’s deputy leader and mayor of Perpignan.
RN’s current leader, 29-year-old Jordan Bardella, remains untouched by the scandal and is widely viewed as Le Pen’s likely replacement should she be barred from contesting the presidency.
Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing, branding the ruling as politically motivated. Despite the legal blow, she has pledged to continue her 2027 campaign, buoyed by polling data suggesting she remains a strong contender in the first round of voting.
