Paris Prosecutor Seeks 5 Years in Prison and Public Office Ban for Marine Le Pen

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The Paris prosecutor has called for a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from holding public office for Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French far-right National Rally party, amid a trial involving alleged embezzlement of European Union funds. According to The Guardian, Le Pen and 24 co-defendants, including party officials, former members of parliament, and staff, face accusations of misusing EU funds to pay for party activities in France.

This legal challenge comes almost a decade after the initial investigations and could significantly impact Le Pen’s political future, especially ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, where many see her as a strong contender.

During court proceedings, the prosecutor, Nicolas Barret, emphasized that “the law applies to everyone,” seeking a €300,000 fine, a five-year prison sentence, and a temporary suspension of eligibility for public office. If found guilty, Le Pen would be barred from running for local or national elections, even while appealing the decision.

Le Pen defended her innocence, stating, “I have no feeling whatsoever of having committed even the slightest irregularity or illegal act,” and criticized the prosecution’s intentions, suggesting they aimed to undermine her electoral prospects.

The case centers on allegations that Le Pen’s party, previously called the National Front, used EU funds to pay staff who were actually working for the party in France rather than performing duties related to their roles in the European Parliament. Despite these charges, the party continues to gain traction, boosted by recent successes in European elections.

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