French courts took a dramatic intervention in the country’s next presidential election, banning far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running. She and her National Rally party were found guilty of diverting millions of EU funds to finance their domestic agenda.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has denounced the court ruling that placed a five-year ban on her seeking public office for embezzlement

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement and was given an immediate five-year ban from public office.

The judge who barred far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in France's 2027 presidential election is under police protection after facing death threats and having her home address shared online,

Italy's Vice Premier Matteo Salvini expressed solidarity with French far-right leader Marine Le Pen after a court convicted her on Monday for embezzlement, barring her from public office for five years.

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has called on people to rally in the centre of Paris on Sunday in protest at a ruling that has banned Marine Le Pen from running for public

Nonetheless, although blocking Ms Le Pen from running for president is perfectly legal, it risks undermining the legitimacy of the next election. That is the wrong trade-off for France. If an appeals court can shorten the ban and allow her to campaign in 2027,

The conviction of one of the most powerful figures of the European far right for embezzling EU Parliament funds has sent shockwaves around the continent and beyond. From Budapest to Washington, Le Pen’s political allies cried foul over this week's French court-mandated five-year ban on seeking political office that could block her chances of securing France's presidency in 2027.

National Rally supporters say the court decision punishing France’s far-right leader for embezzlement will ultimately redound in her favor.