Banned to race in France's presidential election, Le Pen appeals against court ruling

Marine Le Pen's lawyer, Rodolphe Bossel, has confirmed that the far-right leader in France will appeal against her sentence for misuse of public funds.

“We will appeal”, he said, claiming the decision is “a blow to democracy”.

The Guardian wrote that Le Pen's appeal does not suspend the ban from public office until the trial ends.

Le Pen's comments are not surprising, since it was always expected to severely challenge the court's decision.

But it is worth considering that while the appeal would suspend the prison sentence and fine, it would have no impact on its ban on public functions, which remains in force. That's because of the key part of the decision we were expecting earlier, over “imediatry” of the ban.

French media say the appeal is not expected to be reviewed before 2026, leaving the right extreme in an extended period of uncertainty about Le Pen's ability to run in 2027 elections and in a poor position while others continue preparations for their campaigns./Periscopi/

Marine Le Penny banned from competing in France's 2027 presidential election