EU court ruling could end Le Pen's presidential bid

• Marine Le Pen is facing a potential ban from public office following an embezzlement case linked to her time in the European Parliament.
• The case involves accusations of defrauding EU taxpayers of an estimated €4.5 million between 2004 and 2016.
• Le Pen was initially found guilty and received a five-year ban from public office, which she has appealed.
• The European Parliament's director-general testified against Le Pen, stating EU funds cannot be used to finance political parties.
• Le Pen's presidential aspirations for 2027 could be ended by the appeals court's decision.
• Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, is seen as a potential successor if Le Pen is barred from running.

Marine Le Pen, a prominent far-right leader, is awaiting a crucial appeals court ruling that could end her presidential ambitions for 2027. The case stems from an embezzlement complaint originating from her time in the European Parliament, where she and her allies are accused of defrauding EU taxpayers of an estimated €4.5 million between 2004 and 2016 by using parliamentary assistants for domestic party politics.

Initially found guilty and handed a five-year ban from public office, Le Pen appealed the verdict. During the appeal, her legal strategy shifted, with her conceding she might have unwittingly broken the law, while her team challenged the ban's proportionality on technical grounds. This contrasts with her earlier stance, where she framed the proceedings as a political witch hunt.

Testimony from Didier Klethi, the European Parliament's director-general, presented evidence that EU funds were systematically used to pay for assistants whose primary role served the party apparatus in France, emphasizing that such use of funds is strictly prohibited. Le Pen's defense argued that the party work was supplementary to parliamentary duties and that the Parliament had not adequately warned her of the restrictions.

Despite Le Pen's changed strategy, her prospects appear dim. She has stated she would not pursue a presidential bid if the ban is upheld or if she receives an electronic ankle bracelet. The National Rally, however, has Jordan Bardella, its popular president, positioned as a potential candidate, who is performing well in polls and has also voiced euroskeptic sentiments.