As far-right leader Marine Le Pen's appeal trial ends, her presidential bid is at stake

Описание: (11 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY: PART MUST CREDIT VALENTIN PASQUIER

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 10 February 2026
1. Marine Le Pen leaving courtroom
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sylvie Corbet, The Associated Press:
“The appeal trial of Marine Le Pen is ending in Paris with only one question looming: will the far-right leader be able to run for president next year? Le Pen went to trial over accusations she and other party officials misused European Parliament funds. Prosecutors said Le Pen organized a system meant to pay people as parliamentary aides using EU money, but instead make them work for the party between 2004 and 2016. During the trial, Le Pen has admitted what she calls 'a mistake' but she denied any intentional wrongdoing. The verdict is expected in the coming months, likely before summer. An acquittal would clear her path to the presidential race, but a conviction could mean a ban from holding elected office. In such case Le Pen has already named her successor: her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris - 13 January 2026
3. Various of Le Pen arriving at court

ASSOCIATED PRESS VIA VALENTIN PASQUIER - MUST CREDIT VALENTIN PASQUIER
Paris - 13 January 2026
4. Various of court artist sketches by Valentin Pasquier showing Le Pen at start of appeal hearing

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris - 13 January 2026
5. Various of Le Pen leaving courtroom for break, reentering

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris - 2 September 2025
6. Various of French far right National Rally party leaders Le Pen and Jordan Bardella arriving, exiting
STORYLINE:
Marine Le Pen's appeal trial over alleged misuse of European Parliament funds is ending Wednesday with one question looming above all others: will the French far-right leader be able to run for president next year?

Le Pen, 57, is challenging a March 2025 verdict that found her and over 20 other members of her National Rally party guilty of misusing European Parliament funds in the hiring of aides from 2004 to 2016 and banned her from holding elected office for five years.

She denies accusations she was at the center of a fraudulent system meant to siphon off European Union funds.

The outcome of the appeals trial will be announced at a later date, likely before summer.

Here's why the outcome of the five-week trial at the Paris appeals court may change the course of France’s 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen's presidential ambitions could hinge on the case:

Le Pen was widely seen as a top contender to succeed centrist President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until a Paris court banned her from holding office over charges of misusing public money.

She was twice a contender in the run-off against Macron in 2017 and 2022 and her National Rally party has been coming out on top in opinion polls in recent years.

The appeals trial is a second chance to win an acquittal that would clear her path to the presidential race.

If convicted, Le Pen could be sentenced to a ban on holding an elected office. In that case, she has said, her 30-year-old protege Jordan Bardella would run instead.

Bardella's popularity has surged in recent years, but some observers have pointed to his relative lack of experience, especially with international and economic affairs, as a potential weakness for a presidential bid.

Le Pen is accused of diverting EU parliament funds to her party:

Le Pen is joined in her appeal by 10 other officials who were convicted last year, as well as the party itself.



Appeal trial offers a second chance:




House arrest sentences are on hold until the appeal is resolved.










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