France's Le Pen in court with presidency bid on the line

"The appeal comes after a French court last year barred her from running for office for five years over a European Parliament fake-jobs scam involving her and other officials from her Rassemblement National party. The three-time presidential candidate was also handed a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and fined €100,000. Le Pen, 57, who has always maintained her innocence, is now appealing in hopes of clearing the way for a fourth bid to become president."

"The court found Le Pen guilty, along with 24 former members of European parliament, assistants and accountants as well as the party itself, of operating a "system" from 2004 to 2016 using EU Parliament funds to employ RN employees in France. She walked out of the courtroom during the sentencing, later slamming the verdict as a "political decision". The judges defended the decision to bar her from running, saying elected officials should not benefit from "preferential treatment" and citing the risk of reoffending."

Marine Le Pen is appealing a conviction and sanctions that currently bar her from holding office for five years after a court found she and others operated a European Parliament fake-jobs scheme from 2004 to 2016. She received a four-year sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. The appeal hearing is expected to last a month with a decision due this summer, and an upheld ruling would prevent her running in the 2027 presidential election. Twelve defendants including the party appealed while another 12 accepted convictions. Judges cited prevention of preferential treatment and the risk of reoffending. She maintains her innocence.

Read at The Local France