Marine Le Pen threatens to withdraw from presidential race if court orders electronic bracelet
The French far-right leader faces disqualification and electronic surveillance in the European funds misappropriation case.
Marine Le Pen threatens to withdraw from presidential race if court orders electronic bracelet
The leader of the French far-right party admitted on Thursday that she could withdraw from the race for the Élysée if the Paris Court of Appeal decides to impose an electronic bracelet on her. This measure could result from her conviction for alleged misappropriation of European Union funds.
The court will deliver its ruling next Tuesday.
Aged 57, Marine Le Pen is contesting a March 2025 decision that found her guilty — alongside other members of the National Rally — of irregularly using resources from the European Parliament to pay parliamentary assistants between 2004 and 2016.
According to the accusations, these collaborators actually worked for the political party rather than performing legislative functions within the European institution.
If her guilt is confirmed, she could be barred from holding public office and forced to wear an electronic surveillance device.
"If I can be a candidate, I will be, but on condition that I can run a campaign," Ms Le Pen said in an interview with the LCI television channel on Wednesday evening.
When asked whether the electronic bracelet would constitute the main obstacle, she replied that the verdict could ultimately prevent any candidacy.
"Of course. I cannot depend on a magistrate to allow me to hold a campaign rally (...) or to visit a market," she stated.
Marine Le Pen rejected allegations that she was at the centre of a fraudulent scheme aimed at misappropriating community funds.
In March 2025, a Paris court found that she was at the heart of "a fraudulent system" set up by her political party to appropriate 2.9 million euros of European Parliament funds.
The president of the far-right party was then barred from holding public office for five years, along with a sentence of two years' imprisonment at home with electronic surveillance.
She is among the main favourites to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential election of 2027, provided she is able to stand.
If prevented from standing, the far-right party would have to nominate Jordan Bardella, aged 30, as its candidate.
When asked about the differences between them, Ms Le Pen presented herself as the natural option for her party.
"We are complementary. I think I have a certain amount of experience, but Jordan possesses absolutely incredible dynamism, he has the strength and energy of youth," she commented.
France will hold the first round of the presidential election on 18 April 2027, with a second round scheduled for 2 May.
Source: Correio da Manhã