For French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the outcome of the trial for alleged embezzlement of EU funds is crucial to her political future. If she loses, she will probably not be able to run for president.
“My client entrusts you with what she has worked for her whole life..." - with these words, Rodolphe Beauselu, Marine Le Pen's lawyer, ends his closing defense.
A speech aimed at convincing the Paris Court of Appeal to reconsider the first-instance decision that recognized the leader of the French far-right party "National Rally" guilty of embezzling over 3 million euros in European funds.
Whether this will happen, or whether Le Pen will be sentenced to 4 years in prison, a fine of 100 thousand euros and a ban on running for public office for 5 years, as the prosecution insists, will become clear on July 7, 2026. A decision on which her political future depends, but also that of the presidential elections in France in April 2027.
The charges against Le Pen
Prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau publicly defended the prosecution's demands in an interview with France Inter radio. According to her, judges are not interested in the personal fate of politicians - they assess the facts, make decisions and, if the facts constitute a crime, issue a sentence.
She also added that this is an "organized system of embezzlement of European public funds over a period of about ten years", which has caused damage to the European Parliament. An accusation that affects a total of 24 representatives of the “National Rally”.
Marine Le Pen told the Court of Appeal that she did not believe she had done anything wrong, and her irritation after the end of the hearing that set the date for the court's decision was visible, reports "Franceinfo".
"The sooner, the better for me", Le Pen commented minutes before leaving the courtroom without saying a word to reporters.
"Plan B" for the presidential elections
While members of the far-right "National Rally" are awaiting the decision with skepticism, some of Le Pen's close associates are still trying to encourage her.
"I prefer not to make predictions until the decision is clear - there is no point in worrying about something that does not depend on us", a party member told "Franceinfo" and added: "Don't rush to write Le Pen off so early!"
However, if she cannot participate in the elections, "National Rally" also has a "Plan B" in the person of Jordan Bardella - the 30-year-old protégé of the leader of the far-right party and a current MEP. Until now, the roles between the two have been clearly divided: she - a candidate for president, and he - a contender for the post of prime minister.
The "Bardella" option is beginning to be accepted even by the most hesitant, according to those around the chairman of the "National Assembly", reports "Franceinfo". According to data from the conservative media outlet Le Figaro, 69% of far-right supporters believe that Jordan Bardella would be a better presidential candidate than Le Pen.
Internal party competition
For now, however, Bardella confirms that he remains loyal to the daughter of the founder of the far-right party, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
"We are very different and I have always admired Marine. Thanks to her, I am where I am today. Marine never gave up. "She is a fighter, she meets every challenge and has often surprised her opponents and political observers," Bardella told the BFM television channel.
The two are trying to work to ensure that their ideas against migration and France's social policy are not perceived as radical among French society. Unlike Le Pen, Bardella is trying to attract more young voters, as well as part of the electorate of traditional conservatives.
The opponents of the leader of the "National Assembly", including former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, as well as representatives of the Socialists, are already preparing to face Bardella in 2027.
Interest beyond the country's borders
Interest in the outcome of the case against Marine Le Pen is also being shown in the United States. In January, it emerged that two envoys from President Donald Trump's administration had contacted a French magistrate in May last year to lobby against the far-right leader's ban on running in elections.
Magalie Lafourcade, secretary general of the French Human Rights Commission (CNCDH), an independent body that advises the government, told Agence France-Presse that she immediately informed the French foreign ministry about the content of the meeting, fearing a possible "manipulation of public debate in France".
At the same time, the German magazine "Der Spiegel" reported that representatives of the Trump administration had held internal talks about possibly imposing sanctions on French prosecutors and judges involved in the Le Pen trial. The US State Department denies it.
The president of the Paris court, Peyman Gallet-Marzban, said this month that any action against French judges would constitute "unacceptable and intolerable interference in the internal affairs of our country".
The outcome of the case against Le Pen could thus have consequences for France that go far beyond the political career of the country's most influential far-right leader.