Marine Le Pen appears in Paris appeal court over fake jobs case

The Paris Court of Appeal has begun hearing Marine Le Pen’s appeal against her conviction over the alleged misuse of European Parliament funds to employ parliamentary assistants.

The leader of the National Rally’s parliamentary group arrived at the court shortly before proceedings began and declined to speak to journalists, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Earlier, however, she had addressed the press following a meeting of parliamentary group leaders in the National Assembly, saying she “hopes to be heard by the appellate court” and describing herself as “optimistic.”

Le Pen is one of 12 of the 25 people convicted in the case to challenge their sentences. Others include Perpignan Mayor Louis Aliot, National Assembly deputy Julien Odoul, and MEP Nicolas Bay.

The hearings are expected to last around a month, after which judges will deliberate before issuing a ruling. The court has indicated that its decision will be delivered in summer 2026, ahead of the presidential election.

Last November, she said she would abandon any bid if convicted, and has since hinted that party ally Jordan Bardella could run in her place.

Le Pen was found guilty of employing her bodyguard, secretary, and her father Jean-Marie Le Pen’s chief of staff as parliamentary assistants, and of running a system that financially benefited the National Rally. Several co-defendants argue that European Parliament rules were unclear, questioning intent.

Her lawyers are now seeking either to suspend or reduce her five-year ban from holding office, which could determine whether she remains eligible to contest the presidency.

By Aghakazim Guliyev