French court shortens Le Pen’s ban from office but orders electronic tag

PARIS - A French appeals court on July 6 upheld Marine Le Pen’s conviction for misusing EU funds but shortened her ban on running for elected office, potentially reopening a path for the far-right leader to run in the 2027 presidential race.

However, the court ruled that Le Pen serve a three-year jail term.

Although the court said two years were suspended, it ordered her to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year, making a presidential campaign politically and logistically difficult.

The ruling casts fresh doubt on whether she will seek France’s highest office in 2027. REUTERS