Thousands of Filipino Muslims celebrated Eid in Manila as French far-right leader Marine Le Pen faced a five-year ban from political office following a court ruling on fraudulent use of European Parliament expenses. The court sentenced her to a four-year term, two suspended, along with eight other party members. This verdict raises significant questions regarding the integrity of electoral processes in France and Le Pen’s political future.
In recent notable events, thousands of Filipino Muslims have gathered in Manila to partake in Eid festivities, celebrating one of the most significant Islamic holidays. Concurrently, a French court sentenced Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader of the National Rally (RN) party, to a five-year ban on running for office, immediately impacting her potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. The court imposes a four-year prison sentence, two of which are suspended, allowing her to serve the remaining two years under electronic monitoring.
The legal consequences stem from a fraudulent scheme reportedly involving nine members of her party, who exploited European Parliament expenses to hire assistants working for the party rather than fulfilling their parliamentary roles. The court estimates that this scheme cost approximately €2.9 million ($3.1 million). Le Pen, alongside her RN colleagues, now faces an outright ban from any electoral participation, effective immediately regardless of future appeals.
Judge Benedicte de Perthuis stated that the ruling considered the possibility of reoffending and the severe public disorder implications should an individual with a prior conviction run for office. As a three-time presidential candidate, Le Pen had hoped for a strong chance in 2027 without President Emmanuel Macron in the race. She maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings and expressed dissatisfaction with the judicial verdict, which she believes unjustly stifles her political movement.
Le Pen’s anticipated primetime interview on TF1 follows her court appearance. Her recent comments in La Tribune Dimanche indicated frustration over judges impacting her party’s trajectory, framing their decisions as life-altering for her movement. Heightened support for her RN party surged after it secured the largest representation in parliament following the 2024 elections, and Le Pen’s prospects for the presidency appeared strong amid rising public concerns about immigration and living costs.
The verdict incited reactions from international figures, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticizing perceived violations of democratic norms in Europe. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban expressed his solidarity with Le Pen, stating, “Je suis Marine!” Additionally, RN leader Jordan Bardella criticized the court’s verdict, claiming that French democracy was being undermined by what he termed an “unjust” ruling.
Le Pen endorsed Bardella as a capable successor, suggesting he could become president. However, some party members expressed skepticism about his readiness for a presidential campaign. Since becoming head of the then-National Front in 2011, Le Pen has worked to reshape the party’s image, distancing it from past controversies linked to her father, its co-founder, who was known for incendiary comments.
The party has faced allegations of financial misconduct by misusing allowances intended for parliamentary assistants on personnel who functioned solely for the party. Legal assessments confirmed the absence of legitimate parliamentary tasks assigned to these individuals. Despite the legal challenges, Le Pen maintains considerable popularity, leading some political opponents to reflect on the electoral implications of her potential exclusion from the race, with former EU commissioner Thierry Breton articulating concern for the significant support she commands among the electorate.
The recent ruling against Marine Le Pen not only bans her from future electoral participation but also exemplifies increasing scrutiny over political funding practices in France. This decision threatens to reshape the political landscape, especially with Le Pen’s ongoing popularity and the emergence of her protégé. The reaction from both domestic and international figures highlights the contentious climate surrounding this verdict, indicating broader implications for democracy in Europe.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
