Populist Marine Le Pen Banned From Running in French Presidential Election by Court --Even if Le Pen were to appeal the decision, the ban would remain in place during the appeal process. | 31 March 2025 | A Paris court ruled Monday that National Rally leader Marine Le Pen will be ineligible to run for public office for five years, likely including in the upcoming presidential race, after being found guilty of embezzlement of European Union funds. A "political death sentence" has been handed out to three-time presidential candidate and current frontrunner in the race to replace President Emmanuel Macron in 2027, Marine Le Pen. Le Figaro reports that she was sentenced to four years imprisonment, which will likely be served on probation with an electronic tag rather than in jail, a fine of 100,000 euros, and five years of ineligibility from running for public office. Speaking last week ahead of the ruling, the National Rally leader said: "I consider myself completely innocent of the facts with which I am accused. Therefore, if my guilt is pronounced, I will use the rule of law to be able to defend my innocence again."