Marine Le Pen Cleared for 2027 French Presidential Run After Reduced Ineligibility Sentence

Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement National (RN), has been cleared to run for president in 2027 following a significant court decision. The Court of Appeal in Paris found her guilty of embezzling public funds, sentencing her to three years in prison, with one year to be served under electronic monitoring. However, the judges reduced her ineligibility period from five years to 15 months, a term she has already served.

This ruling, which emphasized the importance of "voters' freedom of choice," opens the door for Le Pen's presidential bid. Shortly after the verdict, she announced her candidacy for the 2027 election and declared that RN president Jordan Bardella would be her prime minister if she wins.

Le Pen also stated her intention to appeal the conviction to the Court of Cassation, arguing that this move would suspend the electronic monitoring requirement. She had previously expressed reluctance to campaign while wearing such a device. The RN leader maintains her innocence and seeks to prove it through further legal proceedings.