The Marine Le Pen trial refers to the legal proceedings in which the far-right French politician was prosecuted and convicted on March 31, 2025, for the misuse of European Union (EU) funds. The ruling by the Paris Criminal Court prevented Le Pen from participating in the 2027 French presidential election and sparked widespread political reactions both in France and internationally.

_{Marine Le Pen arrives at the Paris Palace of Justice to attend the hearing of the case, March 31, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Investigation

The charges against Le Pen stem from her time as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) between 2004 and 2016. In 2015, an investigation was launched into members of her party—formerly Front National, renamed Rassemblement National in 2018—on suspicion that EU funds were being used to pay staff working for the party in France. A total of 27 party members were investigated, including Le Pen’s father Jean-Marie Le Pen, Louis Aliot, and Bruno Gollnisch. It was found that these individuals arranged salaries for people presented as parliamentary assistants, despite not holding official positions within the European Parliament.

Trial Proceedings

The trial began in September 2024 at the Paris Criminal Court and concluded on March 31, 2025, after nearly six months. The court ruled that Le Pen had misused over €3 million in EU parliamentary funds to pay RN party employees. In addition to Le Pen, eight former MEPs and twelve parliamentary assistants were also found guilty.

Verdict and Implementation

Marine Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended. The remaining two years will be served under house arrest with electronic monitoring. She was also fined €100,000 and banned from holding public office for five years. The RN party was fined €2 million. At the prosecution’s request, the political ban was made effective immediately under a provision called “provisional execution,” meaning the sentence would be enforced even if an appeal was filed. This prevents Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election. Her lawyers have announced plans to appeal.

_{Marine Le Pen arrives at the Paris Palace of Justice to attend the hearing of the case, March 31, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Political and Diplomatic Reactions

Domestic Reactions

On April 2, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron stated during a cabinet meeting that judicial decisions must remain independent, and that judges must be protected and respected. He noted that Le Pen still had the right to appeal.

RN party president Jordan Bardella argued that the conviction was not just against Le Pen but also an attack on French democracy. Le Pen left the courtroom when the verdict was announced and later told French TV channel TF1 that the ruling was politically motivated and in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

International Reactions

• United States: Vice President J.D. Vance stated, “They're trying to throw her in prison and throw her off the ballot.” The U.S. State Department said the matter should be handled by French authorities. On April 4, 2025, President Donald Trump commented, “The Witch Hunt against Marine Le Pen is another example of European Leftists using Lawfare to silence Free Speech, and censor their Political Opponent. It is the same 'playbook' that was used against me.”
• Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted on social media: “Je suis Marine” (“I am Marine”).
• Italy: Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said the ruling showed that those who fear the will of the people are hiding behind the judiciary.
• Germany: Christian Democratic Union MP Juergen Hardt welcomed the decision, stating: “Le Pen's fate should be a warning to all corrupt politicians ... law, fraud and corruption always come to light at some point”.
• Russia: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused European capitals of violating democratic norms, adding that Russia would not interfere in France’s internal affairs.

_{Jordan Bardella - Anadolu Ajansı}

Developments Within the Party

Following Le Pen’s disqualification from the 2027 race, RN announced that Jordan Bardella would be its new presidential candidate. At 29 years old, Bardella is the current party leader and is widely seen as Le Pen’s political successor. A crisis committee was formed within the party to assess the situation and release public statements.