Marine Le Pen, a leading figure of the far right in France, has announced that she will enter the race for president in the 2027 elections, even though the Paris Court of Appeal has found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds.
In a statement to French media, she said she would take the case to the Court of Cassation, the highest civil court in France, while continuing to insist that she committed no wrongdoing.
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“I cannot run an election campaign with an electronic bracelet. I will pursue every legal avenue to defend my innocence in this case,” Le Pen said.
Earlier in the day, the Paris Court of Appeal found Le Pen guilty of misusing 2.8 million euros from European Parliament funds through a scheme involving fictitious jobs. Despite this, the court ruled that she would retain the right to run in the presidential election, although she will wear an electronic bracelet for one year.
This decision also puts an end to recent speculation that the candidacy of the far-right camp could pass to the 30-year-old president of the National Rally party (Rassemblement National), Jordan Bardella.
When asked whether there was any possibility that she would withdraw from the presidential race, Le Pen gave a firm response: “No, there is no such scenario. Tonight I am here to tell you that I am a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.”
