Marine Le Pen’s political career is in tatters after being found guilty of embezzlement

After decades of plotting her ascent to the very pinnacle of French politics, she has now been pushed down the mountain, and her fall could be long and painful.

The far-right leader, who had been the narrow favourite to win the 2027 French presidential election, will now be banned from running for public office for five years as part of a criminal conviction.

Le Pen, along with politicians and assistants from her National Rally (RN) party, has been found guilty of embezzlement – of taking millions of euros that were supposed to support work in the European Parliament and instead funnelling it to the party’s work elsewhere.

She will almost certainly appeal, but her ban has already come into effect.

Le Pen left the court in Paris shortly before her punishment was announced, heading towards her party’s headquarters for a meeting with its president, Jordan Bardella – the man most likely to take her place.

“Today, it is not just Marine Le Pen who is being condemned unjustifiably,” said Bardella. “It is French democracy that is being executed.”

Her downfall will be welcomed by some in France as a sign that politicians are not above the law.

Others, though, have already bemoaned the fact that a court has been given the power to disbar one of the nation’s most popular political leaders.

It hasn’t taken long for the court’s decision to be politicised. The Kremlin talked about European countries “trampling democratic norms”.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban put out a short statement of support saying “Je Suis Marine”.

Assuming that Le Pen does not win her appeal, the favourite to win the 2027 election may now be Edouard Philippe, the former prime minister.

Bardella may benefit from being Le Pen’s anointed successor, but at 29, he is extremely youthful – a full decade younger than anyone who has ever won the presidency.