Paris appeal trial: Marine Le Pen faces ineligibility for misappropriation of European funds
In the appeal trial in Paris, a candidacy ban for Marine Le Pen could be upheld. The prosecution accuses her of having misappropriated approximately 1.4 million euros of European funds for partisan purposes between 2004 and 2016.
Paris appeal trial: Marine Le Pen faces ineligibility for misappropriation of European funds
This Tuesday, a decisive ruling will be handed down in the French capital concerning the appeal trial of Marine Le Pen. The president of the parliamentary group of the National Rally (RN) fears confirmation of a five-year ban from public office – which would make her participation in next year's presidential election impossible.
The trial concerns accusations of misappropriation of European Union funds. Investigators allege that the party billed approximately 1.4 million euros for so-called parliamentary assistants to the European Parliament between 2004 and 2016. These sums allegedly served in reality to replenish the party's coffers. Le Pen has consistently rejected these accusations. However, the court of first instance found her guilty in March of last year.
The initial judgment provided for four years' imprisonment, two of which suspended and two under electronic monitoring. Furthermore, the judges imposed a five-year ban from holding office. In the ongoing appeal proceedings, the prosecution is seeking a slightly reduced prison sentence, but insists that the ineligibility be maintained.
If the court were to deliver an acquittal – a scenario that is not entirely ruled out – Le Pen could stand for election without obstacle. Even in the event of a reduced conviction, candidacy would remain possible. However, if electronic monitoring became mandatory, the politician has already indicated that she would refrain from running as a candidate. Another possibility would be an appeal in cassation to France's highest court. This course of action would further complicate any potential candidacy.
Le Pen is regarded as the emblematic figure of French right-wing populists and has already run in three presidential elections. In two decisive runoffs, she was defeated by incumbent President Emmanuel Macron, who cannot run again after two terms.
If ineligibility is confirmed, the party's young president, aged just 30, Jordan Bardella, would come to the fore. He was promoted by Le Pen herself – at 23, he became lead candidate in the European elections, and at 27, he took over the party presidency. Polls show that Bardella is currently achieving scores slightly higher than those of his mentor. Nevertheless, internal concerns persist: anonymous party officials expressed doubts to Politico magazine about whether Bardella had sufficient experience to conduct a presidential campaign.
Tuesday's verdict will decisively influence the direction of the right-wing populists for the forthcoming election. Le Pen announced that she would speak on the day itself to indicate whether she would run herself or step aside for Bardella.
Source: ORF.at
Source: ORF