Developing stories,
Prosecutors are demanding that Marines be banned from their offices as they are threatened with derailing her bid for the presidency in 2027.
A French court found that far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling European Union funds.
A Paris court ruled that Le Pen will use 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of European Parliament funds to pay members of her national assembly. The ruling threatens to drive nationalists out of her current frontline 2027 presidential race, according to polls.
The ruling, which is expected to be announced soon, could be seen that Le Pen was declared unqualified to run for office. She accused prosecutors of seeking her “political death.” There are also prison sentences and heavy financial penalties.
“If Marine Le Pen can’t run, it will change the landscape of France’s right edge and its outlook,” said Natacha Butler of Al Jazeera, a courtroom in Paris. “It’s probably Jordan Bardera who will replace her, RN’s current president.
“But he’s much younger and not the same kind of dominant force as Marine Le Pen,” she added. “Some people say he’s not someone many people in France know, so they’ll find it difficult in the 2027 race.
“Others say that a fresh face might be something you need.”
This is a developing story.
