French far right leader Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement and barred from running for public office for five years, facing a fine and a prison sentence as well. Le Pen plans to appeal.

Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen has been banned from running for political office for five years after being found guilty of embezzling European Union funds, in a politically explosive ruling that has shattered her hopes of winning France’s 2027 presidential election.

The decision of a French court to ban far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election will deepen political chaos in a country that already contends with a hung parliament and an unpopular president.