France’s Constitutional Council has ruled that local politicians can be barred from office immediately if convicted of a crime. This decision could pave the way for far-right leader Marine Le Pen to potentially face disqualification from running in the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen is facing an embezzlement trial, with prosecutors seeking a five-year ban on public office via “provisional execution”. The ruling means she will face immediate exclusion from office even if she appeals. Le Pen has denied wrongdoing and called the move “political death”.
The council’s decision is seen as a significant win for anti-corruption efforts, allowing authorities to strip disqualified officials of their public life. This comes amid growing distrust in judicial authority among certain politicians.
Le Pen and her party are accused of diverting €3 million from European Parliament funds to pay staff. If the provisional execution ban is implemented, Le Pen will be barred from running in any new election, but not forced to resign immediately.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/blow-le-pen-french-constitutional-court-rules-immediate-bans-public-office-are-2025-03-28