Marine Le Pen Blocked From 2027 Race As Global Crackdown Escalates

France’s Marine Le Pen, who had been polling as a frontrunner for the 2027 election, has been removed from contention after being sentenced to two years of house arrest and receiving a suspended sentence of two additional years. The court also banned her from seeking public office for five years.

The case involves claims that Le Pen’s political party misused staff who were being paid by the European Parliament. Aides were allegedly tasked with internal party duties instead of official assignments. Le Pen has said she plans to appeal, but the restriction takes effect immediately.

Observers say this is yet another example of how judicial systems are being used across the globe to eliminate conservative leaders from public life. While President Donald Trump has managed to continue his campaign in the U.S. despite multiple indictments and a failed ballot disqualification, others have not been as fortunate.

Romanian candidate Calin Georgescu has been barred. Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil is under criminal investigation. Pakistan’s Imran Khan remains jailed. The list keeps growing — and it all seems to follow the same pattern.

In France, the legal system uses an inquisitorial model, where judges play both the role of investigator and decision-maker. Critics say this gives those in power the ability to silence political opponents behind legal walls.

Although other political parties in France have faced similar accusations involving parliamentary funds, only Le Pen and her allies have been formally convicted and sentenced at this scale. Eight other members of National Rally were also found guilty.

Le Pen previously served as the head of her party from 2011 to 2021 and has been a candidate in three presidential elections.

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