---
title: "Marine Le Pen gets a chance at the presidency: court lifts ban but imposes electronic ankle monitor"
description: "The Paris court lifted the ban on Marine Le Pen's presidential campaign but ordered her to wear an electronic ankle monitor. The far-right leader admitted guilt in embezzlement but can now run, although she herself doubts participating in campaigning while wearing the bracelet. ⚖️🇫🇷"
date: 2026-07-07T12:52:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/paris-court-ruling-on-le-pen-election-ban-lifted
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Marine Le Pen gets a chance at the presidency: court lifts ban but imposes electronic ankle monitor

![Marine Le Pen speaking at a political rally, raising her hand in a gesture to address the audience](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/07/sud-parizha-reshenie-po-lev-pen-zapret-na-vybory/sud-parizha-reshenie-po-lev-pen-zapret-na-vybory-1.webp)

In Paris, one of the most anticipated court cases in recent years has concluded. The Court of Appeal delivered its verdict in the case of Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right party 'National Rally'. The ruling was twofold: the court confirmed the politician's guilt but mitigated part of the sentence, effectively opening the path for her to participate in the next presidential elections.

### Confirmation of guilt and sentencing

The court found Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement of European Parliament funds. According to the prosecution, the case involved the illegal use of €2.8 million intended to pay the salaries of parliamentary assistants. Judge Michelle Agi emphasized the seriousness of the violations, noting that they spanned 11 years across three terms of the European Parliament. In the court's view, such actions damaged European institutions and created unequal conditions for other political forces.

The sentence was determined as follows:

- Three years of imprisonment.

- A fine of €100,000.

- Two years of the sentence are suspended.

- Le Pen must serve one year under electronic monitoring using an ankle bracelet.

### Key change: access to elections

The main development was the decision to shorten the ban on holding public office. Previously, it was longer, but the court has now limited it to two years. Since the count begins on March 31, 2025, this formally means that by the time of the next presidential elections, Marine Le Pen will no longer be subject to this ban and will be eligible to run.

### Conditions for campaign participation

Despite the lifting of the formal ban, the participation of the far-right leader in the presidential race remains uncertain. Le Pen herself previously stated that she would not conduct election campaigning if forced to wear an electronic bracelet. Thus, the court's ruling has created a complex dilemma: the possibility of running exists, but the conditions of serving the sentence may make a campaign impossible in its usual format.

### Next steps

Marine Le Pen has ten days to appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation in France. However, a new review could take several months, which would significantly complicate the preparation for the election campaign if she decides to proceed.

Recall that Marine Le Pen has participated in the French presidential elections three times. In 2017 and 2022, she successfully reached the second round but lost to incumbent President Emmanuel Macron both times. The politician is known for her pro-Russian stance, and her party has been repeatedly linked to Moscow through financial operations and contacts with representatives of the Russian Federation.