French Court Shortens Le Pen Office Ban to 15 Months

A French appeals court on Tuesday shortened Marine Le Pen's ban from holding office to 15 months, making her eligible to run for president in 2027 while requiring her to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet during a one-year period of house arrest.

The Paris Court of Appeals also cut her prison sentence from four years to three years, with two years suspended and one year to be served under house arrest. The office ban was backdated to March 2025, leaving 15 active months after accounting for time already served.

Le Pen rejected the bracelet condition, stating that a presidential candidate must be free to move without prior authorization from a magistrate.

Pen was convicted in March 2025 of embezzlement of European Union funds by her National Rally party. The original sentence included four years in prison, two suspended, and a five-year ban from public office. The appeals court upheld the conviction but reduced both the prison term and the length of the office ban.

Pen said last week that wearing the bracelet would effectively bar her from campaigning. She can request that the bracelet period be shortened to six months. Her lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, described the ruling as a partial victory and a good starting point.

Jordan Bardella, the party's rising figure, issued a public statement of loyalty the day before the hearing, saying his support for Le Pen remains total. Le Pen has portrayed herself and Bardella as interchangeable leaders who have worked together for years.