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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been banned from standing for office with immediate effect after being convicted of embezzling EU funds.
Monday’s court ruling may block the opposition leader from running in the 2027 presidential election, for which she is one of the favourites.
But the judges in the case did not immediately say how long the ban would last.
Le Pen, who left the courtroom before her sentence was announced, has said she will appeal. But the ban will apply until that process is complete.
The far-right politician is accused of misusing EU funds between 2004 and 2017, when she was a member of the European parliament.
Le Pen’s ability to run in 2027 may depend on the duration of the appeal process and its ultimate outcome. The conviction could also hit her popularity with voters.
This is a developing story
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