Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Rally party, has been sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended, following a guilty verdict on charges of embezzling funds allocated for EU parliamentary aides.

The decision to impose a term of incarceration also bars Le Pen from participating in the 2027 presidential race, an outcome she plans to contest, as the Daily Mail reports.

The charges against Le Pen originate from accusations that she, along with 24 other officials, misappropriated funds meant for parliamentary aides between 2004 and 2016.

Instead, these funds were allegedly redirected to the party's use, a move that the court described as a breach of European Union regulations. Furthermore, the court imposed an £84,000 fine on Le Pen.

Additional Sentences Imposed

Significant other penalties were doled out to Le Pen's associates. Catherine Griset, Le Pen's former sister-in-law, was handed a one-year suspended sentence along with a two-year ban from participating in elections.

Simultaneously, Louis Aliot, a former official in the National Rally, was sentenced to 18 months with 10 months suspended, and a three-year ban from any electoral candidacy.

Bénédicte de Perthuis, the presiding judge, stated that Le Pen “has been at the heart” of this illegal operation since 2009. The judge further remarked that these actions have "seriously and lastingly undermined” the democratic process and represented an act of “circumvention of the rules” related to political funding.

Le Pen, Defendants React

Both Le Pen and the other defendants have rejected claims of any criminal wrongdoing, labeling the charges an act of political targeting.

Le Pen’s defense is anchored in her belief that the judiciary has been given undue influence, detracting from the rights of voters to choose their leaders. “I feel we didn't succeed in convincing you,” she expressed after the verdict.

Despite the legal setback, Le Pen made clear her intention to appeal the court's decision. She expressed her viewpoint that "politicians have voluntarily given this exorbitant power to the justice system," and that significant changes are necessary.

Implications for National Rally

Le Pen's sentence also casts a shadow over the future of the National Rally, a party that has continued to strive for mainstream appeal during her tenure. Criticism and support have emerged from various figures.

Éric Coquerel, highlighting the importance of elections, argued, “I don’t agree that things that should be decided by the ballot box are decided by the courts.”

The court ruling has evoked a range of international reactions. For example, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban showed solidarity with Le Pen, exclaiming “Je suis Marine!” Dmitry Peskov commented on a trend in European capitals toward infringing on democratic norms.

Pushback from Political Figures Emerges

Jordan Bardella, a prominent voice within the National Rally, criticized the judgment as an affront to democratic values in France.

He remarked, “It is not only Marine Le Pen who is being unjustly condemned: it is French democracy that is being executed.”

In addition, Eric Zemmour added to the discussion by insisting that the right to political candidacy should not be determined by judicial bodies.

“It is not up to judges to decide who the people should vote for," he said, underscoring his stance on the legitimacy of Le Pen’s political aspirations.

Issues surrounding the role of judiciary power in political matters have surfaced in the wake of this ruling. These events spark dialogue on the balance between legal oversight and the democratic processes, raising questions about the future of political accountability and electoral integrity in France.