French prosecutors request 5-year ban Marine Le Pen from office, jeopardizing 2027 presidential bid

PARIS (AP) — French prosecutors Tuesday requested a five-year ban on holding an elected office against far-right leader Marine Le Pen at a key appeals trial in Paris, an outcome that may prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election.

Le Pen, 57, is seeking to overturn a March 2025 ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds in the hiring of aides from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors accused Le Pen of being at the head of a “system” meant to “siphon off” EU public funds to the benefit of her party.