Marine Le Pen’s defence rejects EU funds “system” as Paris appeal ends
Marine Le Pen’s lawyers told a Paris appeals court that she never ran a fake-jobs scheme. “At no moment did Marine Le Pen imagine that she broke the rules,” said counsel Sandra Chirac Kollarik. Le Pen denied any plan to misuse European Parliament money. She said contracts for parliamentary assistants were transparent. The court closed hearings on Wednesday and set 7 July for the verdict. That decision could determine whether she can stand in 2027.
What the judges will decide on 7 July
Judges will confirm or overturn her 2025 conviction. They will also rule on the five-year ban from public office. That ban began last year. If it stands, Le Pen cannot run in 2027. If it falls, she remains eligible. The bench can adjust the sentence or the fine as well.
How the case began and the 2025 verdict
Prosecutors say EU money for assistants in Brussels or Strasbourg funded party staff in France from 2004 to 2016. They put the loss at €4.8m. In March 2025, a court held Le Pen “at the heart” of an organised plan. Judges imposed four years in prison, with two suspended. The remaining two would be served at home with an electronic tag. They also issued the five-year ban and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen appealed immediately.
Marine Le Pen appeal: the defence case
Her team argues there was no organised fraud. They say assistant contracts named real tasks and staff. Any overlap with party activity, they add, did not prove intent to deceive. They also point to unclear rules at the time. According to the defence, Le Pen acted in good faith and followed guidance.
The prosecution’s narrative in court
State prosecutors asked the court to keep the ban. They describe a “thought-out” and “centralised” scheme. In their account, the party diverted EU funds to pay workers in France. Those staff, they say, did not support work in Parliament. Prosecutors also noted Le Pen’s public attacks on the first-instance judges. They argued that courts simply apply laws set by elected representatives.
What could follow for 2027
If the court upholds the ban, Jordan Bardella would likely lead the National Rally ticket. If the ban is struck down, Le Pen stays in contention. Either way, further appeals on points of law remain possible at the Cour de cassation. The political field for 2027 will adjust once the ruling lands.