00:00French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement over a fake
00:05job scheme at the EU Parliament, given a four-year prison term and a fine.
00:09But the most serious part of the conviction is a five-year ban on standing for office,
00:13effective immediately.
00:15The verdict, as it stands, means Le Pen would be unable to run in the 2027 French presidential
00:21election in what would be her fourth and likely best-ever chance of winning.
00:26But are there any chances she could still be able to run?
00:33Since her conviction, Le Pen and her national rally party have remained defiant, pinning
00:36hopes that she might still be able to stand in the election if an appeal reverses the
00:41decision.
00:42The day after her conviction, a French appeals
00:56court said it would expedite Le Pen's case, allowing for a trial to be held by summer
01:002026, well below the usual 18-24 month timeline.
01:05If the appeal judge is more lenient, the national rally leader could escape immediate ineligibility.
01:11If the appeal judge is more lenient, the national rally leader could escape immediate ineligibility.
01:27Even if the appeal is held as soon as possible, the court may still confirm Le Pen's ineligibility.
01:33In this case, she could attempt to appeal to the Court of Cassation, France's highest
01:36criminal and civil court.
01:38But the process is complicated and would take a long time.
01:41The decision would likely come too late to allow her to run in time for the April 2027
01:47election.
01:50Faced with so much uncertainty, the national rally could decide to sideline Le Pen.
01:55In this case, her 29-year-old protégé and party leader Jordan Bardella would be the
02:00obvious option to replace her.
02:02Choosing another candidate right away would ensure the party could hold a proper campaign.
02:07But there are doubts even within the party over whether Bardella has the experience needed.
02:13At this stage, there is no plan for Le Pen to be relegated to the background, stating
02:17that she still wants to be president, with Bardella as prime minister.
02:33Le Pen has also announced plans to appeal to the Constitutional Council, France's
02:38highest constitutional authority.
02:40The council would rule whether her elimination was incompatible with a voter's right to
02:44choose.
02:45The national rally leader also aims to approach the European Court of Human Rights over the
02:49conviction.
02:50Le Pen has said that she will use all possible avenues of appeal.
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