In a legal battle that puts the political future of France's far-right leader in the balance, the appeal trial of **Marine Le Pen** and her party, the National Rally, along with 11 other defendants, begins this Tuesday in Paris.
French political circles are closely following developments in the case accusing Le Pen of **embezzling European funds**. The awaited verdict is seen as a decisive factor that could reshape the entire political landscape.
According to *France 24*, the appeal court sessions for the leader of the "National Rally" party are scheduled to start at 1:30 PM local time (12:30 GMT). The trial is set to continue, in principle, until **February 11th** at the court located in central Paris. The verdict is expected in the **summer of 2024**.
Le Pen, who has unsuccessfully run for the Élysée Palace three times, was convicted last March on charges of embezzling public funds. She was sentenced to:
* **Four years in prison** (with two years to be served under house arrest with electronic monitoring).
* A **fine of 100,000 euros**.
* A **five-year ban** from holding public office, effective immediately. This ban prohibits her from running in any election, including the presidential race or re-election as a deputy if the National Assembly is dissolved.
## The Path Back to Candidacy
French reports indicate that clearing the path for Le Pen to run again depends on her either obtaining an **acquittal** or a **reduction of her ineligibility sentence**. This sentence is already in effect due to the provisional enforcement of the first ruling while awaiting the appeal court's decision.
In the initial ruling, the court found Le Pen guilty of running a "system" between 2004 and 2016. This system allegedly embezzled funds earmarked by the European Parliament to pay parliamentary assistants who, in reality, were working for the "National Front" (the former name of the "National Rally") or its leaders—a conclusion reached by the public prosecutor and the European Parliament, the civil party in the case.
The criminal court set the compensation amount at **3.2 million euros**, after deducting 1.1 million euros already repaid by some of the 25 defendants in the case. Only 12 of the convicted individuals, along with the party, appealed the verdict.
## A Shift in Defense Strategy
During an event organized by party president **Jordan Bardella** to wish journalists a happy new year, Marine Le Pen renewed her hope to **"convince the judges of her innocence."** She emphasized that her "only line of defense is telling the truth" and expressed hope that her "voice would be heard more clearly" before the appeals court.
*France 24* notes that this time, Le Pen may focus her defense on the **absence of "premeditated intent"** to commit the alleged acts, rather than completely denying the charges as she did previously.
Despite her conviction, this ruling does not necessarily prevent her from running in the **2027 presidential election**, provided:
1. Her ineligibility sentence is reduced to less than two years.
2. The judges drop the requirement for her to wear an electronic bracelet, which could hinder her ability to campaign.
Le Pen confirmed that the appeals court decision would be **crucial in determining her political future**, without waiting for a potential further appeal to the Court of Cassation, although the latter might be prepared to rule on the case if requested before the presidential elections scheduled for April 2027.
## Internal Party Repercussions
Nine months after her conviction, Marine Le Pen has seen a **decline in her popularity**, fueling debate within her party about the possibility of pushing party president **Jordan Bardella** as an alternative presidential candidate—an option gaining gradual momentum.
However, Le Pen stressed last autumn that she **"will most certainly run for the Élysée again"** if given the opportunity, while simultaneously acknowledging that Jordan Bardella "could win" if she were unable to enter the presidential race.
## The Stakes
This trial transcends a mere legal case for a political leader. It is a **fateful juncture** that could determine:
* The future of one of France's major opposition parties.
* The contours of the competition in the next presidential election in 2027.
* The trajectory of far-right political discourse in the country.
All eyes are now on the courtroom in Paris, where new chapters will be written in a political story that has caused—and continues to cause—deep divisions in French society.