PARIS – Marine Le Pen’s trial is coming to a close with a critical question lingering: will the prominent far-right leader be eligible to participate in the upcoming presidential elections?

On Wednesday, the defense attorneys will present their final arguments in the Paris trial, where Le Pen is facing accusations of misusing funds allocated by the European Parliament.

The court in Paris is anticipated to deliver its ruling in the spring of the following year, with the possibility of declaring Le Pen ineligible for public office in the event she is found guilty. Such a ruling could severely impact her political career and disrupt the race to replace President Emmanuel Macron, which is set for 2027.

Le Pen’s party, the National Rally—previously known as the National Front—and 25 members, including her, are charged with misappropriating funds originally intended for European Union parliamentary aides to pay for party staff between 2004 and 2016, thus breaching regulations established by the 27-nation bloc.

Le Pen and her co-defendants have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The Paris prosecutors have suggested a two-year prison sentence for Le Pen and have also requested a five-year ban preventing her from holding office, which would take effect immediately regardless of the outcome of an appeal.

This potential verdict represents a particularly dire outcome for Le Pen.

Throughout the last ten years, Le Pen has sought to reshape her party’s image, toning down its extremist positions in order to reach a broader electorate.

She has already declared her intention to run for the presidency, having been the runner-up to Macron in the last two elections, in 2017 and 2022.

However, this trial may present a formidable obstacle.

While Le Pen maintains her innocence, she has recently hinted at a possible guilty verdict, stating to the panel of judges, “I feel we didn’t succeed in convincing you.”

Inside the courtroom, she has maintained a strong presence, while outside she has voiced her frustration over what she perceives as baseless charges.

The significance of this case for Le Pen is underscored by the considerable time and effort she has invested in the proceedings, often staying late into the night to engage in exhaustive discussions regarding the financing and roles of parliamentary aides.

She has asserted that all tasks performed by the aides were legitimate and necessary, emphasizing the need for their assignments to align with the activities of the Members of European Parliament (MEPs), which occasionally included politically charged duties related to the party.

Prosecutors have emphasized the extensive nature of the alleged embezzlement, labeling it as both “organized” and “systematic.”

Additionally, they claim that Le Pen played a key role in orchestrating a scheme that exploited the European Parliament’s funding to benefit her party financially.

According to the prosecution, some high-paying positions served to support the “comfortable lifestyle” of Le Pen’s family and associates.

“They turned the European Parliament into their personal cash cow,” asserted prosecutor Louise Neyton. “If the Parliament had not noticed, they would have continued without hesitation.”

During the hearings, it was revealed that European Union funds were utilized to pay for Le Pen’s bodyguard—previously her father’s bodyguard—as well as her personal assistant.

Le Pen’s sister, Yann, is accused of receiving payment as an EU parliamentary aide while actually working on organizing party events.

Additional individuals reportedly served as aides without any official employment contracts with party officials.

The potential ruling could have significant implications for France’s political landscape.

Prosecutor Nicolas Barret acknowledged the serious ramifications of a verdict that could render Le Pen ineligible to run for office, noting its consequences for the convicted and the broader public and democratic life of France.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that the judiciary is not responsible for creating such situations, merely recognizing fraudulent behavior.

Prosecutors have sought guilty verdicts for all of Le Pen’s co-defendants, recommending varying sentences of up to one year imprisonment and a €2 million fine for the party.

If Le Pen and her co-defendants choose to appeal, it could result in another trial set for 2026, just ahead of the next presidential election.