Marine Le Pen’s Political Future on the Line as Paris Appeal Reopens Over Alleged EU Funds Misuse

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces a pivotal appeals trial in Paris that could determine whether she remains eligible to run in the 2027 presidential election and shape the trajectory of her National Rally party.

The appeal, which opened on Jan. 13 and is scheduled to run for about five weeks, will rehear evidence and witness testimony after a March conviction found Le Pen guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. Le Pen will be questioned by judges for two days beginning Tuesday as she seeks to overturn the March ruling that tied her and other party officials to the diversion of funds to party staff between 2004 and 2016.

Verdict, Sentences and What Is at Stake

In March, a Paris court described Le Pen as central to what it called "a fraudulent system" that diverted about €2.9 million (roughly $3.4 million) in EU parliamentary funds to pay party workers. The court handed Le Pen a five-year ban from holding elected office, two years of house arrest with an electronic bracelet and a separate two-year suspended sentence.

The appeal will reexamine those findings. If the conviction is overturned or the sentence reduced, Le Pen — 57 — could be free to pursue a 2027 presidential bid. If the conviction is upheld and the ban remains in force, she would be ineligible and has already named her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella, as a potential successor.

Allegations and Evidence

Prosecutors allege that National Rally officials, including Le Pen, used European Parliament funds earmarked for parliamentary aides to instead pay party staffers who performed domestic, party-focused work — from logistics and event organization to graphic design and personal protection. Among those reportedly paid from EU funds was Le Pen’s bodyguard and her personal assistant; her sister Yann was also listed as an EU parliamentary aide while organizing major party events.

The inquiry traces back to a 2015 alert by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities about potential misuse of funds.

Le Pen’s Defense

Le Pen and other party officials acknowledge hiring staff who carried out varied tasks but deny criminal intent. In last year’s trial she argued the aides’ duties were legitimate and reflected the flexible, domestic-focused work often required of MEPs. At the opening of the appeal, her lawyers emphasized that any irregularities were unintentional administrative errors and stressed that European Parliament officials did not warn the party that their hiring practices violated rules.

“The role of an aide depends on each person’s skills. Some wrote speeches for me, and some handled logistics and coordination,” Le Pen said during the earlier trial.

Possible Outcomes and Political Consequences

The appeals court may acquit Le Pen, reconfirm the conviction and bar her from office, or uphold guilt but issue a lighter sentence that preserves her eligibility. Each outcome carries major political implications: an acquittal could strengthen Le Pen’s bid for 2027; a disqualification would leave the National Rally to rally behind Bardella, whose popularity has grown among younger voters but whose experience and policy depth are sometimes questioned.

Reaction And Context

Le Pen denounced the March judgment as "a democratic scandal," accusing the judiciary of using disproportionate measures against her movement. National Rally officials have framed the case as politically motivated; critics say this mirrors populist rhetoric elsewhere. French judges, however, are independent magistrates who cannot be removed from their posts.

“I hope I’ll be able to convince the judges of my innocence,” Le Pen said as the appeal began.

The appeals court is expected to issue a ruling likely before summer, after a full reassessment of evidence and testimony presented during the five-week hearing.