Marine Le Pen launches presidential campaign after appeal court upholds guilty verdict

Paris – Hours after a French court of appeal upheld a guilty verdict against Marine Le Pen for alleged campaign‑finance irregularities, the leader of the National Rally officially launched her bid for the 2027 presidential election. The Court of Appeal in Paris confirmed a lower‑court ruling that found Le Pen guilty of failing to disclose certain donations and of exceeding legal spending limits during the 2022 legislative campaign, imposing a €15,000 fine and a one‑year ban on holding public office. Le Pen’s campaign headquarters announced the launch on the party’s website, emphasizing continuity of the party’s policies and framing the legal decision as a politically motivated attack.

The timing of the announcement has drawn attention from both supporters and opponents. Legal analysts note that the conviction does not automatically bar Le Pen from running, but the ban on public office could affect her eligibility should she win a future election. The National Rally’s spokesperson reiterated that the party will appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, while the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the case remains open for further judicial review. The launch marks the first major step in the party’s preparation for the upcoming presidential race, setting the stage for a campaign that will unfold amid ongoing legal scrutiny.