The leader of France’s far-right, Marine Le Pen, faces the possibility of being disqualified from standing for office as of Wednesday.
The Paris Court’s Public Prosecutor, where Marine Le Pen has been charged, alleges that for several years she listed individuals as her assistants in the European Parliament who were paid by the institution but in reality worked for her party, with no connection to parliamentary activities. The prosecution has requested a suspended five-year prison sentence, a five-year disqualification from holding office, and a €300,000 fine.
If the prosecutor’s recommendation is accepted, Ms. Le Pen would not be able to run for the presidency of the French Republic for a fourth time in 2027. Ms. Le Pen, who denies the charges, stated, “Their goal is to prevent me from being a candidate in 2027,” adding, “Anyone who doesn’t see that is both blind and deaf.”
Source: CNA/MS/EAN
