France's Constitutional Court has ruled that politicians charged with crimes must be immediately barred from holding public office. The ruling leaves open the possibility of far-right leader Marine Le Pen being barred from running in the 2027 presidential election, Reuters reports, BTA reports.
The leader of the “National Rally“, who leads in opinion polls for the upcoming election, accused prosecutors of trying to inflict “political death“ on her. The reason is the prosecution's request that the court impose a five-year ban on her from holding public office if she is charged.
If such a measure is imposed, it will take effect immediately, even if Le Pen decides to appeal, which would prevent her from participating in the elections in two years. She categorically denies any wrongdoing.
According to lawyer Robin Binsard, representing another politician affected by a similar sanction, the court ruling is “absolutely detrimental” to Le Pen, as the judges reserve the right to order the inadmissibility of her candidacy.
The court also dismissed today an appeal by a municipal councilor from Mayotte, who challenged the legality of the measure. This means that if convicted, he must immediately leave office, without waiting for the outcome of an appeal.
In its ruling, the court stressed that such bans do not violate fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and are lawful. In Le Pen's case, the prosecution is demanding the immediate imposition of the five-year ban, regardless of any appeal.
If the measure is implemented, she will not lose her seat in the French parliament for the rest of her term, but she will be prevented from standing in future elections.
Marine Le Pen, the National Rally and 24 party figures are accused of misusing 3 million euros of European Parliament funds intended to pay party staff in France. The defendants' lawyers argue that the funds were used for their intended purpose and that the charges are based on an overly narrow definition of the role of parliamentary assistant.