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Marine Le Pen to run for French presidency and appeal conviction in top court
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally, announced her candidacy for the 2027 presidential election despite being convicted of embezzlement and ordered to wear an electronic tag for a year.
- A Paris appeal court found her guilty of misusing €2.8 million in EU funds in a fake jobs scheme but allowed her to stand for presidency while wearing the tag.
- Le Pen plans to appeal the conviction to France's highest court, the Court of Cassation, arguing she cannot campaign effectively while tagged and maintaining her innocence.
- She emphasized a strong partnership with Jordan Bardella, the party president, stating he would serve as prime minister if she is elected president.
- Le Pen's announcement ends speculation that Bardella would be the party's candidate and sets the stage for a contentious election campaign starting immediately.
