French far-right leader Le Pen found guilty of embezzlement, banned from running for public office for five years.

Jin10 data, March 31 - According to CNN, the Paris court ruled that French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was guilty of embezzlement and banned her from running for political office for five years, meaning she will be unable to participate in the 2027 presidential election. The court president stated that Le Pen's actions constituted a serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe, especially in France. Le Pen left the courtroom before the verdict was read. Le Pen is currently a member of the French Parliament and was convicted along with eight European Parliament members and twelve aides from her party. They were accused of using European Parliament funds to pay salaries for employees who were actually working for her party, the National Rally. Previous opinion polls indicated that Le Pen was expected to replace Macron as the President of France, as Macron will be unable to seek a third term.