Le Pen confirms 2027 presidential bid despite conviction

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, has confirmed her intention to seek the presidency in 2027. The announcement comes after a Paris appeals court upheld an embezzlement conviction against her, a ruling she plans to challenge in the supreme court.

"This evening, I am a candidate for the presidential election," Le Pen stated on Tuesday to TF1, dispelling uncertainty about her fourth presidential bid. A lower court had previously sentenced her to a five-year ban from public office and a two-year suspended prison sentence for an alleged fake jobs scheme at the European Parliament. This ruling had cast doubt on her ability to run.

The appeals court modified the sentence, banning her from public office for 15 months and imposing a one-year suspended prison sentence with an electronic tag. This ban ends in March 2025, clearing her path to participate in the April-May 2027 elections.

Recent opinion polls indicate that the far-right is projected to lead the first round of the presidential election. One May poll suggested Le Pen could win a runoff, highlighting her continued political relevance despite the legal challenges.

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This evening, I am a candidate for the presidential election.