Prosecutor seeks jail and election ban for Le Pen
3 min read
The Paris prosecutor has called for a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban on political office for Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), in connection with a controversial case involving illegal party funding. The request was made in relation to an investigation into allegations that Le Pen and several senior figures within her party misused European Parliament funds by employing assistants for party work, rather than their stated roles as parliamentary assistants in Brussels.
The prosecutor, Nicolas Barret, has also asked that the political ban take effect immediately upon a guilty verdict, even if Le Pen’s defense team decides to appeal. This would effectively prevent Le Pen from running for president in 2027, a blow to her political ambitions.
Le Pen, who denies the charges, reacted strongly to the prosecutor’s request, calling it an “outrage” and accusing the authorities of attempting to “ruin” her party. “I think the prosecution’s goal is to deprive the French people of the ability to vote for whoever they want,” she said after the hearing. The case involves 25 defendants, including Le Pen, who is facing charges alongside other party officials.
Le Pen, who was defeated by Emmanuel Macron in the 2022 presidential election, has consistently maintained her position as one of the most influential figures in French politics. Although she lost the election by a significant margin (58.55% to 41.45%), the National Rally remains the largest opposition party in France’s National Assembly.
As part of the charges, the prosecutor is also seeking a €300,000 fine ($319,000 or £249,000) against Le Pen. While the prison sentence is described as “convertible,” meaning that Le Pen may avoid serving time behind bars, the immediate political ban could be a significant blow to her future political career.
The case centers on allegations that Le Pen oversaw a scheme in which RN staff members, who were officially employed as assistants to members of the European Parliament, instead carried out party-related work. According to the prosecution, these assistants rarely, if ever, worked at the European Parliament in Brussels, and their salaries were funded by the European Union, while their duties benefited the party.
Le Pen has strongly contested the accusations, arguing that the assistants, paid through EU funds, were naturally involved in political activities given the nature of their work. She insists that the staff members’ work for the party was inherently tied to their role as political assistants, as many were drawn to the position because of their political affiliations.
The case is not just about Le Pen’s personal actions, but also involves the RN party itself, which is accused of siphoning EU funds for party purposes. The prosecution argues that the use of European Parliament salaries for party business violated EU rules.
In addition to Le Pen, 24 other individuals, including several party members, are also facing charges. RN’s president, Jordan Bardella, who is not a defendant in the case, has condemned the prosecution’s demands as an “assault on democracy.” Bardella described the charges as politically motivated, accusing the prosecutor of seeking revenge against Le Pen. He posted his comments on social media platform X, where he called the prosecution’s actions unjust.
A lawyer for the European Parliament, Patrick Maisonneuve, expressed little surprise at the severity of the prosecution’s request. “There is a consistency in the prosecution’s demands,” Maisonneuve said, noting that the case was based on clear violations of EU regulations.
The trial is expected to continue until November 27, with the defense team set to present its arguments. Legal analysts suggest that the case could have significant political repercussions, both for Le Pen’s future in French politics and for the National Rally party, which has been increasingly embroiled in legal challenges in recent years.
This case highlights broader tensions between France’s political establishment and the far-right, which has gained significant traction in recent years. Le Pen’s leadership of the RN has made her a central figure in the French political landscape, and the outcome of this trial could shape the party’s trajectory heading into the next presidential election.
As the trial progresses, attention will remain on whether the requested penalties will be enforced, and whether Le Pen’s political future is permanently altered by this legal challenge. For now, the legal process continues, and both sides are preparing for what promises to be a contentious and high-profile case.
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