2 w. ago ‘More will come to us now’: what does Le Pen verdict mean for far

Despite mixed views across France over RN leader since conviction, people are still joining her party in supportNear a roast chicken stand at a rural market, Jocelyn Dessigny was giving out leaflets bearing a photograph of the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and the words “Save democracy!”“It is a political attack,” he said of Le Pen’s criminal conviction this week. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘The law is the same for everyone’: Macron addresses Le Pen verdict for first time and criticises threats against judges – Europe live

French president says ‘the judiciary is independent’ following threats made against judges in case against former French far-right leader The French government expects President Trump’s tariffs to be in the range of between 20-25%, said government spokeswoman Sophie Primas on Wednesday.“They risk being pretty powerful. People are speaking of tariffs between 20 and 25 percent,” Primas told reporters. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Could Marine Le Pen’s guilty verdict help fuel the far right? – podcast

The parliamentary leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, has been banned from public office for five years for embezzlement, ruining her chance of a presidential run. Angelique Chrisafis reportsIt is a sentence that has prompted anger among rightwing leaders across the world and led to accusations that democracy is being threatened. This week, Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary leader of the National Rally (RN), the largest opposition party in the French parliament, was banned for five years from public office for embezzlement. Along with more than 20 others, she was found to have used money for European parliament assistants to pay party workers.The shock sentence could end Le Pen’s hopes of running for president in 2027. She is now appealing and has hit back furiously, as have her supporters and allies. Some of her support could hurt her more than it helps, however. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said in response that “more and more European capi...

Politics

3 w. ago French ministers condemn threats to judges in Marine Le Pen case

Senior figures also reject claim verdict against Le Pen on embezzlement charges was ‘political and partisan’French ministers have condemned threats against the judges who convicted the far-right leader Marine Le Pen and banned her from public office for five years – threatening her 2027 presidential run – and rejected accusations the verdict was “political and partisan”.France’s prime minister, François Bayrou, told the Assemblée nationale the trial judges had his “unconditional support” after they found Le Pen guilty of embezzlement charges, throwing France into political chaos. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. 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

3 w. ago Marine Le Pen vows to fight election ban in attack on court’s ‘politician decision’ over embezzlement conviction

Marine Le Pen says she will appeal against verdict and her five-year disqualification from public office ahead of presidential elections

Politics

3 w. 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

3 w. ago Marine Le Pen vows to fight election ban in scathing attack on court’s ‘politician decision’ after embezzlement conviction

Marine Le Pen says she will appeal against verdict and her five-year disqualification from public office ahead of presidential elections

Politics

3 w. ago Marine Le Pen verdict throws National Rally into chaos but could boost far right | Angelique Chrisafis

Conviction is a huge blow to her party and harms her drive for respectability, while serving the victimisation narrativeEurope live – latest updatesIt is a political earthquake that is almost certain to end Marine Le Pen’s ambitions for the 2027 presidential election and throws her far-right party into chaos just as it was setting its sights on taking power in France.Barred from running for political office for five years with immediate effect after being convicted of embezzling European funds for her party, Le Pen’s political future is now thrown into doubt. She will probably not be able to mount a fourth campaign for the presidency in two years’ time. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Marine Le Pen banned from running for French presidency in 2027 and given four

French far right leader barred from running for public office for five years with immediate effect after guilty verdict in trialFull story: Le Pen barred from running for French presidency in 2027The 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

3 w. 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

3 w. 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

3 w. 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

3 w. ago French court to rule in Marine Le Pen embezzlement case – Europe live

Prosecutors seeking a fine of €300k, a prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office, which would stop far-right leader’s presidential runThe 2027 French presidential election may be two years out, but its first act will play out in a Paris court this morning, as judges hand down a verdict on charges the far-right leader Marine Le Pen and party officials embezzled money from the European parliament.Prosecutors asked for a €300,000 (£250,000) fine, a prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office. Crucially, it would apply immediately, even if she appeals against it. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Marine le Pen faces her 'political death' as court rules today on embezzlement charges

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

Events

3 w. ago Marine Le Pen’s future to be decided as embezzlement verdict arrives

Far-right leader could be barred from standing for presidency if she is convicted over alleged fake jobs scamThe future of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen – and France’s political landscape – will be decided on Monday when a court hands down its verdict on charges she and party officials embezzled money from the European parliament.If convicted, the three-time presidential candidate of the National Rally (RN) could be barred from standing against Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 presidential election. Continue reading...

Politics