Marine Le Pen says she won't run for president if ordered to wear electronic bracelet

Key facts

• Marine Le Pen will not run for president in 2027 if ordered to wear an electronic bracelet.
• An appeals court ruling regarding Marine Le Pen's potential sentence is expected Tuesday.
• France's National Rally party faces multiple investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds.
• President Jordan Bardella and leader Marine Le Pen are both facing scrutiny.
• Jordan Bardella stated that authorities raided communications contractors his team worked with.
• The European Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed an investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group.
• The European Parliament will initiate a procedure against the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party.
• The ESN party includes Germany's AfD.
• The ESN party is accused of alleged violations of EU core values.
• The ESN party could lose its registration and funding if found non-compliant.

Marine Le Pen, a leading figure in France's far-right political scene, has announced that she will not pursue the presidency in 2027 if an appeals court orders her to wear an electronic bracelet. This condition stems from a potential sentence related to allegations of misuse of European Union funds. The verdict in this case is anticipated on Tuesday.

The broader context involves significant legal challenges facing France's National Rally party, which is grappling with multiple investigations concerning the alleged misuse of EU funds. Both party president Jordan Bardella and leader Marine Le Pen are under scrutiny, which complicates the party's strategic focus on the upcoming 2027 presidential election. Bardella has also stated that authorities raided communications contractors his team had collaborated with. The European Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group.

In parallel, the European Parliament is preparing to launch a formal procedure against the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party. This party includes Germany's AfD and is accused of violating core European Union values. Should the ESN party be found non-compliant, it could face severe consequences, including the potential loss of its registration and crucial funding from the EU.