Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure in French politics, and eight other members of her right-wing party were convicted of misusing public money on Monday. Le Pen was also barred from holding public office.

The duration of Le Pen’s ineligibility for office was not immediately announced. Le Pen left the courtroom before the judge finished delivering her sentence. As a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election, she has stated that preventing her from running would be “political death.”

Le Pen has also claimed that such a ban would disenfranchise her voters. She finished second to in both the 2017 and 2022 elections, and her National Rally party has seen a significant increase in support in recent years.

“There are 11 million people who voted for the movement I represent. So tomorrow, potentially, millions and millions of French people would see themselves deprived of their candidate in the election,” Le Pen told the court before her sentencing.

The case against her centered on the use of European Parliament funds to support activities of the National Rally party. Prosecutors demonstrated that EU funds were used to pay Le Pen’s bodyguard and personal assistant. The other defendants were found guilty of similar misuse of funds.

Prosecutors had requested a two-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from holding political office for Le Pen.

Le Pen stated that she believed the prosecution was “only interested” in preventing her from running for president.

Le Pen and other right-wing leaders have gained prominence in Europe largely due to growing anti-immigration sentiment.

The court ruling against her comes as Macron struggles to deal with President ‘s return in the U.S., which has caused friction between Europe and the U.S. over economic policies and the defense of Ukraine.

Last week, the Trump administration highlighted its negotiations with and stated that both countries had agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea, but the Kremlin later clarified that this was conditional on the removal of international economic restrictions.

“Russia shall have no right of say regarding the support we are providing and will provide Ukraine, nor shall they set the conditions,” responded.

Macron also rejected Trump’s suggestion that Europe consider lifting sanctions on Moscow.

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