Marine Le Pen found guilty, but court clears way for presidential run if she wears tag

Marine Le Pen has been found guilty in an appeal court decision related to misusing EU funds, but the ruling shortens her sentence and keeps her eligible to run for president if she wears an electronic ankle tag. The Paris appeal court upheld her conviction while reducing a five-year ban from holding public office; the restriction has been backdated to March 2025, and the judges said they now consider the penalty already served. She received a one-year term under house arrest with an electronic tag, which the article notes would not necessarily prevent her from running. Le Pen said she would not campaign for president if required to wear the tag, and she is expected to announce her decision during a national television appearance at 20:00 local time (19:00 BST). The decision follows appeals heard in January and February, and the court justified its approach by weighing ineligibility against the “freedom of candidacy” and the “free choice of electors.” The article states she was convicted for embezzling funds for European Parliament members from 2004 to 2016 and using the money to pay party staff.