A French court on Monday will deliver its verdict on far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s role in an alleged fake jobs scam at the EU parliament. A guilty verdict could bar her from standing for president in 2027, following a ruling by France's top court that removing an elected official from office before they have exhausted the appeals process is not unconsitutional.
Le Pen and her 24 co-defendants are accused of embezzling more than €3 million in European Parliament funds by hiring fake parliamentary assistants to work on party business rather than EU affairs.
The alleged scam took place from 2004 to 2016.
Prosecutors have called on the three-judge panel to issue a prison sentence of five years and a ban from holding public office. The ban would come into force even if Le Pen appeals.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on trial for misuse of EU funds
Le Pen has run for president three times, but the 2027 election is being viewed as her strongest chance to date after her National Rally (RN) emerged as the largest single party in last summer’s snap legislative elections.
Le Pen vehemently denies the charges, labelling them as politically motivated attempts to undermine her and her party's influence.
A decision by France's top court, which rules on constitutional matters, has added additional suspense to a case that could shake up France's political landscape.
On Friday the Conseil Constitutionnel court ruled in a case involving a local politician from the French overseas territory of Mayotte, who was removed from office in 2024 for embezzling public funds.
His lawyers argued that the court had deprived voters of their consitutional right to elect representatives by banning him before he had the chance to appeal. But the consitutional court ruled the decision had not breached France's constitution.
While the court limited itself to local, not national, politicians, some legal experts say their decision could impact the Le Pen embezzlement trial.
Le Pen denies wrongdoing in fake EU jobs trial
High stakes
Supporters of Le Pen argue that the legal battle over the fake jobs scandal is part of a broader strategy to suppress dissenting political voices in France. The RN has seen its popularity boosted amid public concern over immigration and the cost of living.
If found guilty, the RN risks a fine of €1.3 million, less than half of which would be suspended.
A conviction not only threatens Le Pen's personal political ambitions, but could also reshape the landscape of French politics heading into the next presidential election.
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Her protegé, and RN party leader, Jordan Bardella is not under investigation in the case, but there are doubts over whether the 29-year-old has the experience to run a presidential campaign.
If acquitted, Le Pen's status as a leading anti-establishment figure on the French far right will be reinforced.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has expressed discomfort at the prospect of Le Pen being disqualified. It would be "profoundly shocking" if Le Pen could not stand, he said in November last year.
