French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has announced she will run for the presidency in the April 2027 election despite a recent conviction for embezzlement. A Paris appeal court upheld her guilty verdict for misusing €2.8 million in EU funds in a fake jobs scheme but reduced her sentence, allowing her to stand for president while wearing an electronic ankle tag for one year.

Le Pen has repeatedly stated she would not campaign while wearing the tag, saying it would restrict her freedom of movement. However, she plans to appeal the conviction to France's highest civil court, the Court of Cassation, which suspends the tagging order until a final verdict is reached, likely in early 2027.

In a combative primetime interview on French TV, Le Pen declared, "The campaign begins tonight," and confirmed she would "pursue all legal avenues" to defend her innocence. She also ruled out the possibility of not running, stating, "No, there isn't. I am here tonight to tell you I am candidate for the 2027 election."

Le Pen's protege and National Rally party president, Jordan Bardella, 30, was widely expected to be the candidate if she were disqualified, but her decision ends speculation about handing over the candidacy. Le Pen said that if she were barred from running, Bardella would be prime minister, and she would support him with "great energy, great conviction and great confidence."

Political opponents have criticized her decision to run despite the conviction. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said it was up to Le Pen to decide but noted she had been convicted twice and would need to explain herself to the French people.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier rejected claims of judicial conspiracy against Le Pen, saying she had "benefited from considerable leniency." Meanwhile, public prosecutors announced they would appeal the court's decision to reduce Le Pen's sentences.

Le Pen leads the opinion polls with under 10 months until the election, which includes a first round on 18 April and a runoff on 2 May.

Sources