French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a critical court ruling on Monday that could determine her political future. Le Pen, head of the National Rally (RN), faces accusations of embezzling over 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff.
Le Pen, 56, who has made three unsuccessful bids for the French presidency, has stated that 2027 will be her final run for the top office. If barred, her party claims it would be a politically motivated attempt to eliminate her from the race. “With provisional execution, the judges have the power of life or death over our movement,” Le Pen told La Tribune Dimanche. “But I don't think they'll go that far.”
Political analysts suggest that a guilty verdict could significantly alter France’s political landscape. According to Arnaud Benedetti, a political analyst specializing in the RN’s rise, removing Le Pen from the race would be a seismic disruption. “The main opposition leader would be prevented from running by the judges,” he said.
Le Pen’s supporters argue that the charges are a politically motivated witch hunt. Her party has transformed into the largest single party in France’s parliament, and an acquittal could bolster her mainstream appeal.
However, a guilty verdict with a five-year ban could force Le Pen to step aside for her protégé, Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old party president. While senior RN figures do not expect Le Pen to be barred, political scientist Jean-Yves Camus noted that a ban could intensify her supporters' feelings of being ostracized by the political elite.
The verdict will have broader implications beyond Le Pen’s candidacy, sparking debate about how judges influence politics and whether legal proceedings are being used to block political opponents.
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Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
The head of IATA downplayed concerns that potential US trade tariffs would disrupt the ongoing surge in travel demand. While acknowledging added uncertainty, he suggested that Trump’s policies might ultimately benefit the airline industry by promoting consolidation and regulatory changes.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American humanitarian outreach for over six decades, is being dismantled under the directive of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ukraine is set to hold in-depth talks with a select group of foreign allies this Friday to discuss the formation of a military contingent that could serve as a security guarantee under a future ceasefire agreement.
Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
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Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American humanitarian outreach for over six decades, is being dismantled under the directive of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ukraine is set to hold in-depth talks with a select group of foreign allies this Friday to discuss the formation of a military contingent that could serve as a security guarantee under a future ceasefire agreement.
Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American humanitarian outreach for over six decades, is being dismantled under the directive of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ukraine is set to hold in-depth talks with a select group of foreign allies this Friday to discuss the formation of a military contingent that could serve as a security guarantee under a future ceasefire agreement.
Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
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