French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been barred from running in the 2027 presidential election after being found guilty of embezzling European funds to finance her party, the National Rally (RN).
The decision, which comes with a five-year ban from holding public office, also includes a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended. It remains unclear whether Le Pen will actually serve time behind bars or if alternative measures, such as wearing an electronic tag, will be put in place.
This development marks a significant setback for Le Pen, who has been a prominent figure in French politics for years. The far-right leader has faced controversy in the past, with her anti-immigration stance and nationalist platform sparking debates across the country.
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some supporting the decision as a necessary measure to uphold accountability and integrity in political office, while others view it as a form of suppression against opposition voices.
The 2027 presidential election will now proceed without Le Pen as a candidate, leaving the field open for other contenders to compete for the highest office in the land. The repercussions of this decision are likely to reverberate throughout the political landscape in France and beyond.
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