Paris prosecutor demands five years in prison and a political ban for Marine Le Pen amid allegations of misusing EU funds. The case involves over 20 party officials accused of employing assistants for party duties instead of European Parliament work.**
Marine Le Pen Faces Legal Battle: Prosecutor Seeks Prison Time and Political Ban**
Marine Le Pen Faces Legal Battle: Prosecutor Seeks Prison Time and Political Ban**
Legal proceedings intensify against the far-right leader as prosecution calls for severe penalties in illegal funding case.**
The political future of Marine Le Pen hangs in the balance as the Paris prosecutor is pushing for a substantial punishment in a contentious illegal party funding case. Prosecutor Nicolas Barret has demanded a five-year prison sentence and a concurrent five-year ban from holding political office for the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party. This request aims to take effect immediately upon a verdict, eliminating Le Pen's prospect of running in the 2027 presidential election, even if her defense team opts to appeal the decision.
Le Pen, alongside 24 other senior members of her party, faces serious allegations that they misappropriated funds by hiring assistants who were officially positioned as European Parliament aides but primarily conducted party business. The far-right leader has vocally refuted the charges, labeling the prosecutor's recommendations an egregious attack on her party and its supporters. "This is an attempt to deny the French people the right to vote for their chosen representatives," she stated emphatically after the hearing in Paris.
In the 2022 presidential election, Le Pen was defeated by Emmanuel Macron, garnering 41.45% of the votes compared to Macron's 58.55%. Despite this loss, the RN remains the largest party in the National Assembly, suggesting a significant base of support. In addition to the prison time and political ban, the prosecution seeks a financial penalty of €300,000 (approximately $319,000) against Le Pen.
Legal experts have indicated that while the proposed prison sentence is convertible, it does not guarantee actual incarceration. However, the instant enforcement of the political ban, regardless of the appeals process, has sparked strong objections from party officials. RN chairman Jordan Bardella criticized the prosecution's actions as an "assault on democracy" via social media, emphasizing that they reflect a partisan effort to undermine Le Pen’s position.
A representative for the European Parliament, Patrick Maisonneuve, expressed that the requested punishments were anticipated and highlighted the systematic nature of the accusations against Le Pen and her party. The ongoing trial, which has generated considerable public interest, is set to continue until November 27, with the outcome poised to have substantial implications for both Le Pen and the political landscape in France.
