French far-right leader announces 2027 presidential run after appeal ruling

Marine Le Pen announced she will run for president in 2027 hours after an appeals court upheld her embezzlement conviction while shortening the election ban. The Paris Court of Appeal reduced the length of the ban but left the conviction in place. Le Pen said she would appeal the decision to France's highest court.

Background to the case A lower court had convicted Le Pen of misappropriation of public funds on March 31, 2025, and imposed a longer ban on holding office. The appellate judges applied a shorter ban than the trial court had ordered. Le Pen had previously said she would step aside for another candidate if barred, but she reversed that stance after the appeal decision.

Campaign positioning Le Pen released a campaign poster showing her with arms outstretched under the word "renaissance." She described any further legal setbacks as part of a political sacrifice. The announcement came the same day the appeals court issued its ruling. Le Pen said the decision confirmed her eligibility to stand in the next presidential election.

“Marine Le Pen announced she would run for president hours after her embezzlement conviction was upheld.”