A French court has just sentenced Marine Le Pen to four years in prison for fraud involving EU funds, as well as five years of immediate ineligibility for public office. Her candidacy for the 2027 presidential election is now currently impossible. Le Pen, along with other (former) Members of the European Parliament and 12 assistants, was found guilty of signing fake contracts. Alleged parliamentary employees were actually performing tasks for the party. The judges estimate the fraud at over four million euros.

MEP Daniel Freund (Greens), chair of the anti-corruption working group in the European Parliament, commented:

“The millions embezzled by Le Pen represent the largest fraud case in the history of the European Parliament. The French judiciary shows that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of polling numbers. Far-right politicians have repeatedly been involved in abuse in the European Parliament. Misappropriation and fraud with EU funds are not minor offenses. Anyone who defrauds EU funds must face serious consequences. The principle that those convicted of fraud or corruption must be excluded from public office should apply EU-wide in the future.”