French prosecutors seek public office ban for Le Pen over misuse of EU funds

French prosecutors on Tuesday requested a five-year ban on running for public office for far-right leader Marine Le Pen in her appeal trial over the misuse of European Union funds, but said this should ​not be enforced immediately.

This leaves the question of Le Pen’s 2027 presidential election candidacy wide ‍open if ⁠the appeals court, when it delivers its ruling in the coming months, ‍follows the prosecutors’ requests. It has no obligation to do so.

The initial ruling, in March last year, was a major setback for Le Pen as it banned her from running for office for five years, effective immediately.