Le Pen Denies Wrongdoing as ‘Political Death Sentence’ Appeal Starts in Paris

Fighting for her political life, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen appeared before a Paris court this week as she appeals an embezzlement case, which has seen her barred from standing in any election for five years.

At the Court of Appeals on Tuesday, Madame Le Pen began her appeal against last year’s conviction, in which she and other members of the then-National Front party were convicted of allegedly using EU party funds to finance RN operations in France.

Not only was Le Pen convicted over the alleged “embezzlement”, but was also given a sentence of five years of political ineligibility, which came into effect immediately, even during the appeal process, despite defendants usually regaining the presumption of innocence in France during such challenges. Crucially,