In a landmark decision that would disqualify her from the 2027 presidential contest, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzlement and instantly barred from holding public office for five years.
Le Pen was also sentenced to four years in prison by the judge, two of which will be served in home detention and two of which are suspended.
In addition, she was fined 100,000 euros ($108,200).
She will undoubtedly file an appeal, and until all of her appeals are heard, neither the fine nor the jail term will be imposed. In France, appeals may take months or even years to process.
However, through a so-called “provisional execution” step that prosecutors asked, her five-year ban from running for office takes effect immediately and will only be revoked if any appeal is upheld before to the election. Until the rest of her term, she will continue to hold her parliamentary seat.
Le Pen did not immediately react on the decision.
Le Pen, the RN, and two dozen other party officials were charged with misappropriating about 4 million euros ($4.33 million) from the European Parliament to pay employees in France.
She will disqualify from the 2027 presidential contest, unless she prevails in an earlier appeal.