Le Pen’s Political Future Hinges On High-Stakes Appeal Trial In France. The political future of far-right leader Marine Le Pen is in the balance as her appeal trial opens in France. Le Pen is challenging a ruling that bans her from running for public office for five years, after she was found guilty last year of embezzling European Union funds. If the ban is upheld, the 57-year-old would be barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election, a prospect she strongly denies is justified. The appeal is being heard at the Paris Court of Appeal and is expected to run until mid-February, though a verdict is not likely before the summer. Le Pen maintains she committed no irregularities, while her party, National Rally, says excluding her from the race would damage democracy. President of Le Pen’s National Rally party Jordan Bardella says he will not seek the presidency himself, instead aiming for the post of prime minister. The original case centred on claims that party staff were paid with European Parliament funds while working on domestic political activities. Judges said Le Pen was central to a system that misused nearly three million euros. Alongside the ban, she received a prison sentence, a fine, and now faces the risk of tougher penalties if her appeal fails.