Marine Le Pen’s political future hangs in the balance as her appeal trial for embezzlement charges opened in Paris on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The outcome will determine whether the far-right leader can run in the 2027 French presidential election, where her party currently leads in opinion polls.
The trial centers on allegations that Le Pen and other National Rally (RN) figures embezzled European Parliament funds by hiring assistants who worked on party affairs rather than for the EU institution. In March 2025, she was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended, a €100,000 fine, and a five-year ban from public office with immediate effect. The Paris Court of Appeal is now reviewing this verdict in a process expected to last until February 12.
Prosecutors argue that between 2004 and 2016, Le Pen was at the “heart of the system” that misappropriated approximately €2.9 million in EU funds. The initial ruling found that the scheme was designed to reduce the RN’s operating costs, constituting embezzlement rather than administrative errors. More than 20 party members were also convicted, with the party fined €2 million.
Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming the case is politically motivated to block her presidential ambitions. “I have not committed the slightest irregularity,” she asserted. Her defense team plans to argue that the charges are unfounded and that the immediate enforcement of the ban is unjust. National Rally president Jordan Bardella has called the potential exclusion from the election “deeply worrying for democracy.”
The appeal has drawn significant attention due to its timing ahead of the 2027 election. If the ban is upheld, Le Pen would be ineligible to run, potentially reshaping the French political landscape. Bardella, who has ruled out standing for president, said he would seek the prime minister position instead, indicating party strategies are already in flux.
International dimensions have emerged, with reports of alleged U.S. interference in the judicial process. German media suggested Washington considered sanctions on the judges, but U.S. officials denied this, calling the claims “stale and false.” French judicial authorities have dismissed the allegations as rumors, though the presiding judge in the original trial received death threats and is under police protection.
Several outcomes are possible: the appeal court could overturn the conviction, acquit Le Pen, or uphold it with modifications. Key scenarios include removing the immediate effect of the ban, which would allow her to run while appealing to the Court of Cassation, France’s highest court. A ruling is expected by summer 2026, with the Court of Cassation aiming to decide before the election if necessary.
As the trial unfolds, it underscores the tensions between judicial independence and political ambition in France. With the far-right gaining traction across Europe, Le Pen’s fate could influence broader trends. The coming months will be crucial for her legal battle and the preparations for the 2027 presidential race, where she remains a pivotal figure despite the legal cloud.
