News - AFP: Le Pen may be disqualified from running in 2027 elections

A court in France may deprive the head of the parliamentary faction “National Union” Marine Le Pen of the right to participate in the presidential elections in 2027 in case of conviction in the case of embezzlement of funds of the European Parliament, hearings on which begin on Monday, reported Agence France-Presse.According to its information, the head of Unite National, her father Jean-Marie Le Pen and 23 other party officials are suspected of paying assistants who worked only for the party between 2004 and 2016, which is prohibited by European Union rules. Some of the hired workers never met their official employers. Those employees included Le Pen's bodyguard Thierry Legier, the politician's chief of staff Catherine Griset, and the party's graphic designer. Le Pen's father will not stand trial for health reasons, the agency points out.If convicted, party members face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of €1 million, as well as deprivation of the right to stand for election for 10 years. It is noted that the investigation will be a “serious political test” for Le Pen.