Marine Le Pen vows to fight ban on presidential candidacy in legal battle

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the parliamentary faction of France’s National Rally party, has vowed to challenge her recent conviction and the resulting ban on her candidacy for the upcoming presidential election.

Le Pen, who has been sentenced to prison in France, expressed her intention to seek legal recourse through the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the French Constitutional Council, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In a statement of determination, Le Pen said, "I will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights and the French Constitutional Council. I will use all available legal avenues to defend myself. I will not back down," highlighting her commitment to continuing her political career despite the legal hurdles.

As she fights the ruling, Le Pen has also made it clear that the 2027 French presidential election may mark the end of her political journey. 

"In politics, you never say 'never.' But yes, I think this will be my last election if I am not elected," Le Pen said, acknowledging the uncertainty of the future while maintaining a resolve to push forward.

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, is currently facing serious legal challenges that could have major consequences for her political career. 

On March 31, 2025, a Paris court found Le Pen and several of her associates guilty of misappropriating European Union funds designated for parliamentary assistants. As a result, the court imposed a five-year ban on Le Pen from holding public office, preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election. Additionally, she was sentenced to four years in prison, with two of those years suspended, and fined 100,000 euros.

By Naila Huseynova