Marine Le Pen has declared she will run for the French presidency in 2027, despite a Paris appeals court upholding her conviction on Tuesday for embezzling European Union funds.
The court handed the far-right leader a three-year jail term — two of them suspended — and ordered her to wear an electronic monitoring tag, but crucially reduced her ban from public office to just fifteen months, clearing the way for a presidential bid.
Le Pen's political opponents have condemned the decision to stand, with left-wing figures vowing to defeat her National Rally party at the ballot box.
Peter Allen, reporter in Paris, says Le Pen stunned observers with her announcement on live television.
IN: “She absolutely amazed...”
OUT: “...again in 2027.”
DUR: 32 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0708-0555allen-marinelepen1.mp3
(ALT)
Peter Allen, reporter in Paris, says a broad coalition of parties is likely to unite against Le Pen — but her chances could depend on who she faces in a run-off.
IN: “There are many...”
OUT: “...she will struggle.”
DUR: 37 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0708-0555allen-marinelepen3.mp3