Marine Le Pen admits 'mistake' in EU embezzlement trial as she fights to save political career
Marine Le Pen fighting to save her political future as she admits ‘mistake’ at trial
- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is currently facing an appeals trial in Paris over accusations of misusing European Union parliamentary funds.
- Le Pen acknowledged 'a mistake' where some EU-paid parliamentary aides also worked for her party, the National Front, but firmly denied being at the centre of a fraudulent system.
- The trial aims to overturn a March 2025 ruling that found her guilty, imposing a five-year ban from elected office, two years of house arrest, and a two-year suspended sentence.
- The original Paris court ruling stated her party siphoned off 2.9 million euros from the EU Parliament, describing it as a 'fraudulent system' and 'democratic bypass'.
- The appeals court's decision, anticipated before the summer, will significantly impact her eligibility for the 2027 presidential election, with Jordan Bardella named as her successor if she is barred.