7 h. ago What is Marine Le Pen guilty of in National Rally embezzlement case?

The far-right leader has been banned from running for office for five years after an EU parliament fake jobs scamAfter a nine-week trial, the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was this week found guilty of the embezzlement of European parliamentary funds through a fake jobs scam of an unprecedented scale and duration. She was banned from running for office for five years with immediate effect, which could prevent her making a fourth bid for the French presidency in 2027.She has said she will appeal against the verdict and sentence, which also included a four-year prison term – with two years suspended and two to be served outside jail with an electronic bracelet – and €100,000 (£84,000) fine. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago French justice minister urges prompt appeal hearing for Le Pen – Europe live

Gérald Darmanin stresses court timelines are outside government control as PM admits he has questions over immediate public office bansLe Pen ban is ‘political and partisan’, says French far-right party’s presidentIn Kyiv, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has offered an update on the talks with the United States over a new minerals deal.Sybiha told a press conference held with his Lithuanian counterpart, Kestutis Budrys, that one round of consultations had already taken place and that an agreement providing for a strong American business presence in Ukraine would contribute to his country’s security infrastructure, Reuters reported. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago ‘We will not let French people have election stolen from them,’ says Le Pen – Europe live

Far-right leader says guilty verdict was ‘a nuclear bomb’ used against her as her party president calls for protestsLe Pen ban is ‘political and partisan’, says French far-right party’s presidentIn Kyiv, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has offered an update on the talks with the United States over a new minerals deal.Sybiha told a press conference held with his Lithuanian counterpart, Kestutis Budrys, that one round of consultations had already taken place and that an agreement providing for a strong American business presence in Ukraine would contribute to his country’s security infrastructure, Reuters reported. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Trump and Musk back Le Pen as NR’s Bardella says verdict should ‘outrage’ France – Europe live

US president calls embezzlement sentence ‘a very big deal’ as her party’s president says there will be protests this weekendBy the way, given how heavy the news cycle tends to be these days, we need to grasp every opportunity to look for something positive, so let’s celebrate the April Fools’ Day today.Send me your best April Fools’ Day stories from across Europe for a post later this afternoon – I’m on jakub.krupa@theguardian.com. Continue reading...

Politics

27 h. ago Watch: Marine Le Pen slams guilty verdict as ‘political decision’ after election ban

Marine Le Pen claimed that a court's decision was "political" following its ruling on Monday, 31 March, which banned her from standing for election after she was found guilty of embezzling funds from the European parliament.

Politics

34 h. ago Watch: Le Pen leaves court after being found guilty of embezzling EU funds

Marine Le Pen stormed out of court after she was banned from running in France’s 2027 presidential election, after being found guilty of embezzling funds from the European Parliament.

Events

34 h. ago Why has Marine Le Pen been barred from standing in French election – and can she appeal?

Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement. Here’s all you need to know

Politics

36 h. ago Marine Le Pen found guilty of embezzling funds. This is what you need to know

Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement. Here’s all you need to know

Politics

37 h. ago Marine Le Pen banned from running for French president after embezzling EU funds

Le Pen handed jail sentence and immediate five-year ban from political office, excluding her from running in the French presidential elections in 2027

Politics

37 h. ago Marine Le Pen is sentenced to four years in JAIL and BANNED from entering presidential elections as she is found guilty of embezzlement and accused of 'undermining democracy'

Presiding Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis has sentenced Le Pen, 56, to a five-year ban from politics. She has also been sentenced to four years in prison with two under an electronic bracelet and a £84k fine.

Politics

37 h. ago Marine Le Pen jailed for four years and banned from running for French president after embezzling EU funds

Le Pen handed five-year ban from political office, excluding her from running in the French presidential elections in 2027

Events

38 h. ago Marine Le Pen is BANNED from entering presidential elections as she is found guilty of embezzlement and accused of 'undermining democracy'

Presiding Judge Bénédicte de Perthuis stated Le Pen, 56, has been banned from running for office with immediate effect but details of the duration are yet to be revealed.

Politics

38 h. ago Marine Le Pen banned from running for public office after being found guilty of embezzling EU funds

Le Pen risks being excluded from the French presidential elections in 2027 if she is handed a five-year ban from political office

Events

38 h. ago Marine Le Pen banned from running for public office after guilty verdict in embezzlement trial – Europe live

Exact length of ban not yet known after French far right leader and eight National Rally MEPs found guilty of misappropriating EU fundsThe judges have begun reading their verdicts.Patrick Maisonneuve, lawyer for the European parliament, arriving in court, said that what was at stake was the embezzlement of European taxpayers’ funds. Continue reading...

Society

39 h. ago Marine le Pen faces her 'political death' as court finds her GUILTY of embezzlement charges

The far-right politician and 24 other party officials were accused of having used money intended for European Union parliamentary aides to instead pay staff

Events

39 h. ago Marine Le Pen found guilty in embezzlement case that could torpedo French presidential hopes

The far-right National Rally leader could face an immediate five-year ban from public office

Politics

39 h. ago Marine Le Pen found guilty of misappropriating EU funds by French court – Europe live

French far right leader and eight National Rally MEPs found guilty in embezzlement caseThe judges have begun reading their verdicts.Patrick Maisonneuve, lawyer for the European parliament, arriving in court, said that what was at stake was the embezzlement of European taxpayers’ funds. Continue reading...

Events