French prosecutors have reiterated their demand for a renewed ban on Marine Le Pen's eligibility to stand as a candidate, as her appeal continues in a high-profile legal case involving the Rassemblement National (RN) party. The proceedings focus on allegations that Le Pen and several party officials misused European Parliament funds by redirecting salaries meant for parliamentary assistants towards party operations.

During the appeal session, the prosecution addressed the court, calling for a comprehensive affirmation of criminal responsibility for Le Pen and her co-defendants. The prosecutors highlighted the seriousness of the alleged offences and indicated their intention to request additional penalties, including a prohibition on seeking public office. The court's decision, expected in the coming months, holds significant implications for the political landscape ahead of France's 2027 presidential election.

Review of the Case Against Le Pen

The case centers on accusations that Le Pen established a system allowing the RN to benefit from European Union resources by employing parliamentary assistants who, in reality, worked for the party rather than fulfilling their official roles in Brussels. Investigations revealed that several staff members listed as EU parliamentary assistants were engaged in activities unrelated to their official positions, instead contributing to party organization and finances.

Throughout the appeal, Le Pen and her ten co-defendants maintained their innocence, arguing that any irregularities stemmed from organizational shortcomings rather than intentional wrongdoing. Some defendants acknowledged past administrative confusion but denied any deliberate fraud. Le Pen also suggested that the European Parliament's oversight had previously been more lenient, while her former partner and current Perpignan mayor, Louis Aliot, referenced the chaotic nature of party management during the period in question.

Previous Sentencing and Election Implications

In an earlier ruling, Le Pen was sentenced to four years imprisonment--two years suspended and two years to be served under electronic monitoring. Additionally, she was immediately barred from standing in elections for five years, though the enforcement of the custodial sentence was postponed pending appeal. This ban has direct consequences for her ambition to contest the 2027 presidential race, as the court's final decision will determine her eligibility.

Should the appellate court uphold the initial sentence, Le Pen would be unable to participate in the next presidential election. In such a scenario, the leadership of the RN would likely fall to its 30-year-old chairman, Jordan Bardella, who has publicly supported Le Pen but did not attend the trial sessions.

Potential Outcomes and Ongoing Legal Process

The court may also consider reducing the length of the ban or the severity of the sentence, especially after prosecutors opted to exclude certain contentious contracts from the case. This adjustment decreased the estimated financial damage by approximately 1.4 million euros. If the ban is shortened to two years or the custodial sentence is reduced further, Le Pen might regain her eligibility in time for the 2027 election, although campaigning while under electronic monitoring presents significant challenges.

The verdict from the appellate court is anticipated by June. Regardless of the outcome, Le Pen retains the option to appeal to France's highest court. She has stated that a final decision regarding her candidacy will be made in the summer, depending on the appellate court's judgment.

The case continues to attract widespread attention, given its potential impact on France's political trajectory and the future of the Rassemblement National party.