Marine Le Pen was considered guilty of embezzlement in the political future
London: A French court issued a serious blow to the presidential hopes of Marine Le Pen, condemning the far -right politician for undue appropriation of European Union funds.
In a sentence that potentially remodes the European political landscape, the Court sentenced the Pen to four years in prison, half of which was suspended. The decision, pronounced on Monday, means that Le Pen, who had been for a long time as a prominent contender to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, will be excluded from the race when his mandate ends in 2027.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, leaves the court of Paris after the sentence.Credit: Bloomberg
The Court found that Le Pen had played a central role in the organization of a system that allowed to channel illegal payments to professionals. Although he did not take profit personally from the regime, the judges noticed that he allowed a small group of senior party characters, including the father of Le Pen, Jean-Marie Le Pen, to enrich himself.
The sentence also formed them to hold a public office for five years. The prison sentence, although suspended during his appeal, will remain in force unless it is overturned, with the penalty potentially that serves its time under home arrest with an electronic bracelet.
Dressed with a white blouse and a blue jacket, the pen sat mainly in stone during the procedure. However, when the sentence was read, its composure broke, according to relationships. After listening to the immediate prohibition of his candidacy, he got up and left the classroom without contacting journalists.
The Pen and another 24 officials of his national rally party were accused of having used money for the parliamentary assistants of the European Union to pay the staff who worked for the party between 2004 and 2016, in violation of the blocking regulations of 27 nations. The pen and its co-accused denied illegal.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, arrives in court of Paris on Monday.Credit: Bloomberg
The judge also issued the guard of guilt to eight other current or former members of his party who, like her, previously served as members elected in the European Parliament.
At the center of the case was the improper use of 4.4 million euros ($ 7.5 million) in EU funds intended to pay assistants for members of the European Parliament. Instead, the Court found that the Pen and its allies used the money to pay the party staff who were not engaged in official parliamentary work. It was also a fine of € 100,000.
