U.S. President Donald Trump described the French court’s decision to bar far-right leader Marine Le Pen from the 2027 presidential election as a “very big deal,” comparing her situation to his own legal troubles.
Le Pen, 56, was convicted of embezzling European Union funds to benefit her party, resulting in a five-year public office ban that cannot be suspended by appeal. She also received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, two years under home detention, and a fine of 100,000 euros ($108,200).
“I know all about it, and a lot of people thought she wasn't going to be convicted of anything,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday evening. “But she was banned for running for five years, and she's the leading candidate. That sounds like this country, that sounds very much like this country.”
The ruling has provoked sharp reactions from Le Pen’s allies in France and far-right leaders across Europe. France's High Council of the Judiciary condemned the backlash, warning that personal threats against magistrates and political statements about the case are unacceptable in a democratic society.
Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), remains a prominent figure in European far-right politics and was considered a front-runner for the 2027 presidential election. However, the court’s decision represents a major setback for her political career.
Trump, who himself faced legal battles before winning the 2024 presidential election, suggested that Le Pen’s conviction was politically motivated. Federal charges against Trump were dropped following his 2024 election victory.
While some have praised the French court’s decision as a victory for judicial independence, others claim it was an attempt to sideline Le Pen from the political arena. The controversy continues to fuel debate over political interference and the integrity of democratic institutions.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democra...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged closer ties on Sunday as they sought to strengthen cooperation on geopolitical tensions, climate change, energy and the protection of democratic values.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
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