A French appeals court on Tuesday upheld Marine Le Pen’s conviction for misusing European Union funds but significantly reduced the political penalty against the National Rally leader, clearing the way for her to compete in France’s 2027 presidential election. The ruling marks a major victory for Le Pen after a lower court’s 2025 decision effectively barred her from seeking public office for five years, according to the BBC. However, the appeals court shortened the ban and said they believe the penalty has already been served. French court clears way for Marine Le Pen to run for president in 2027 but orders her to wear electronic tag https://t.co/lWqJDu97es — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 7, 2026 The Associated Press (AP) reported that the Paris appeals court upheld Le Pen’s convic