PARIS (AP) 鈥� French prosecutors Tuesday requested a five-year ban on holding elected office against far-right leader Marine Le Pen in , an outcome that may in the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen, 57, is seeking to overturn a March 2025 ruling that of misusing European Parliament funds in the hiring of aides from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors accused Le Pen of being at the head of a 鈥渟ystem鈥� meant to 鈥渟iphon off鈥� EU public funds to the benefit of her party.
In addition, they requested one year of house arrest with an electronic bracelet and a 100,000 euro fine ($118,000) against Le Pen.
The appeals court鈥檚 verdict is expected at a later date, possibly before summer.
During the trial that started last month, Le Pen acknowledged some people performed work for her party, then known as the National Front, while being paid as EU parliamentary aides, calling it 鈥渁 mistake.鈥�
One of the prosecutors, Thierry Ramonatxo, said Tuesday the alleged misappropriation of public funds represents 鈥渁 very serious breach of probity鈥� that gave the party 鈥渁 concrete advantage in the form of substantial savings made at the expense of the European Parliament.鈥�
鈥淪ome parliamentary assistants worked for the party but were paid by the European Parliament 鈥� that is the plain reality,鈥� Ramonatxo said.
St茅phane Madoz-Blanchet, another prosecutor, denounced 鈥渁 system” led by Le Pen. 鈥淭he acts of misappropriation of public funds were deliberately and carefully concealed,鈥� he said.
Madoz-Blanchet pointed to 鈥減ublic money siphoned off drop by drop until it formed a river.鈥�
Le Pen listened in silence, occasionally shaking her head no at some of the allegations.
The appeal trial, involving Le Pen, 10 other defendants and the National Rally party as a legal entity, is scheduled to last until next week.
Prosecutors noted the 鈥渟eriousness of the facts鈥� and asked the appeals court, composed of a panel of three judges, to find party officials guilty, with a ban on elected office.
Speaking to journalists in the courtroom earlier Tuesday, Le Pen said: 鈥淚 never expect a pleasant surprise when I set foot in a courtroom.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 not the one who decides. I don鈥檛 hold the cards,鈥� she added.
Le Pen was seen as the potential front-runner to succeed President in the 2027 election until last year鈥檚 ruling, which through French politics.
Several scenarios are possible, from acquittal to another conviction that may bar her rom running in 2027. She also could face an even tougher punishment if convicted anew 鈥� up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million euros ($1.17 million).
If she becomes ineligible, she has designated her 30-year-old prot茅g茅, Jordan Bardella, as her successor in the presidential bid.
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