Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally (RN), has officially lost her position as a departmental councilor of Pas-de-Calais following her recent conviction. On April 18, 2025, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the order formalizing her loss of mandate has been issued and notified to her this week. This decision comes after a court ruling that sentenced Le Pen to five years of ineligibility due to her involvement in a public funds embezzlement case.
The prefecture had to wait for the official notification of the judgment before initiating the procedure to remove Le Pen from her post. According to the prefecture, this process required time, as they needed to ensure all legal protocols were followed. Despite this setback, Le Pen still has the option to challenge the prefectural order before the administrative court. The administrative court of Lille confirmed to AFP that it has not yet recorded any request from Le Pen as of April 18.
Le Pen, who was elected as a departmental councilor in 2021, was sentenced on March 31, 2025, to four years of imprisonment, two of which are suspended and served under electronic bracelet. Additionally, she was fined 100,000 euros and faced immediate ineligibility for five years, a ruling that significantly jeopardizes her prospects for the upcoming presidential election in 2027.
This conviction stems from her role in a scheme that misappropriated public funds intended to pay RN staff using money from the European Parliament between 2004 and 2016. The total amount involved in the embezzlement reached 4.4 million euros, with 1.1 million euros already reimbursed. The Paris Criminal Court noted that Le Pen was at the "heart" of this fraudulent operation, which has drawn significant public and media scrutiny.
While Le Pen has retained her position as a deputy for Pas-de-Calais due to the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Council, she will be unable to run again in the event of early legislative elections following any potential dissolution of the Assembly. This aspect of her political career remains intact for now, but the looming ineligibility casts a shadow over her future political ambitions.
In response to her conviction, Le Pen has publicly denounced the ruling as a "political decision" that undermines the rule of law. Her defense team has expressed intentions to appeal the conviction, asserting that the legal process has been politically motivated. The Paris Court of Appeal has indicated that it intends to examine her appeal within a timeline that would allow for a decision to be made by the summer of 2026, well ahead of the presidential elections.
Le Pen’s political career has been marked by controversy, and this latest development adds another chapter to her tumultuous journey in French politics. As the leader of the far-right party, she has consistently faced allegations of financial misconduct and has been a polarizing figure in the political landscape.
The implications of her conviction and subsequent removal from local office are significant, not just for Le Pen but also for the National Rally as a whole. The party has been striving to distance itself from past scandals and rebrand itself as a legitimate political force in France. However, with Le Pen now facing serious legal challenges, questions about the party's future and its leadership will undoubtedly arise.
As the political climate in France continues to evolve, many will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds. Will Le Pen successfully appeal her conviction and regain her political footing, or will this mark the beginning of a decline for one of France's most controversial political figures?
In the meantime, the prefecture's decision to enforce the loss of her departmental councilor mandate stands firm, reflecting the serious nature of the legal consequences stemming from her actions. Political analysts suggest that this case may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding public officials and their accountability.
As the summer of 2026 approaches, the outcomes of Le Pen's appeal and the political ramifications of her conviction will continue to be a focal point in French politics. The public's reaction and the media's coverage will likely shape the narrative surrounding her and the National Rally as they navigate this challenging period.
