Marine Le Pen Announces 2027 presidential bid despite court-ordered electronic monitor

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally, announced she will stand in the 2027 presidential election even though a court sentenced her to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for embezzlement. She said she will appeal the ruling to the Court of Cassation and expects the appeal to suspend the monitoring requirement.

"I will therefore campaign without an electronic bracelet," Le Pen told a television interview on Tuesday night, adding, "Tonight, I am a candidate for the presidential election."

The appeals court upheld guilty verdicts for Le Pen and 10 other party members for misusing European Parliament funds, but reduced the penalties imposed by a lower court. The five-year ban on holding public office was cut to 45 months, with two-thirds suspended, and Le Pen has already served 15 months, effectively removing the obstacle to her candidacy. Her prison term was reduced from four years to three, with two years suspended, and a €100 million fine was also imposed.

The court noted that the 15 months of the ban already served had mitigated the damage to public integrity and emphasized the principle of voters' freedom to choose candidates. Details on how often Le Pen will be required to wear the monitor and the conditions for its removal will be set by another judge in the coming weeks.

Le Pen proceeded to the National Rally headquarters after the hearing, where party leader Jordan Bardella was present. The party, which rebranded from the National Front in 2018, remains the largest single party in the National Assembly but lacks a governing majority.

The ruling allows Le Pen to continue her campaign while the appeal is pending, and the Court of Cassation is expected to issue a decision before the first round of the election in April.