Conservatives Shut Out Again As Le Pen Is Blocked From French Election

French conservative figure Marine Le Pen has been effectively removed from the 2027 presidential race after a court sentenced her to two years of house arrest, two years suspended and a five-year public office ban. Her case centered around accusations of misuse of European Parliament funds.

According to the court, aides who were funded by the European Parliament were working on party matters for National Rally instead of performing parliamentary duties. The court found Le Pen and eight others guilty, adding a 100,000 euro fine to her punishment.

Although she is appealing the ruling, the decision already prevents her from seeking elected office during the upcoming election cycle. Many see the timing as no coincidence, with Le Pen polling ahead of other candidates before the verdict was handed down.

This move follows a now-familiar pattern. Jair Bolsonaro faces charges in Brazil. Imran Khan has been sentenced in Pakistan. Calin Georgescu has been ruled out of the race in Romania. And Trump, despite being targeted by prosecutors and ballot challenges, remains in the race thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Observers point to the structure of France’s legal system as part of the problem. Judges not only oversee trials but also conduct the investigations, leaving little room for independent review or due process in politically sensitive cases.

Le Pen had previously served as the head of National Rally for a decade and has run for president three times. The case has cast a shadow over the 2027 race, with one of the most prominent candidates now legally sidelined.

Other parties in France have faced similar accusations, yet no comparable penalties have been handed down.

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