The French State Council upheld the decision of the erstwhile instance, which imposed a five-year ban on Marine Le Pen to exercise public functions. The verdict is linked to the alleged irregularities and the fictional hiring of French MEP and favourite to win in the upcoming presidential election.
The ultimate Administrative Authority in France – the Permanent Council – de facto rejected the proposal from Marine Le Pen to block the immediate execution of the punishment for banning public functions for the next 5 years. The National Unity Leader will not be able to compete in the 2027 presidential election.
The judgement concerns a case in which Marine Le Pen was accused of irregularities in the accounting of funds allocated to the employment of her assistants working in the European Parliament. According to the Paris Criminal Court, which convicted Le Pen and her political associates, funds for political activity were to be mistrusted.
Finally, the leader of the National Unity was sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment, a fine of EUR 100 000 and a five-year ban on public service. It is this prohibition that is immediately enforceable, despite the ongoing appeal process.
Many politicians and commentators in France admit that this is simply a political judgement aimed at preventing the launch of the Marine Le Pen in the next presidential election, which would be a decisive favorite.
Marine Le Pen, in her complaint to the Permanent Council, argued that the immediate application of the law which prohibits the performance of public duties to persons convicted of certain offences was an unfair violation of its political rights.
"The Council of State rejected this appeal due to the fact that it was not intended to repeal the implementing rules, but alternatively to amend the law, which goes beyond the powers of the Prime Minister," the court stated in a statement.
Source: france24.com
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