Prosecutors push to uphold five-year ban on Marine Le Pen

French prosecutors urged the court to confirm a five-year electoral ban on Marine Le Pen tied to last year’s embezzlement conviction, a move that would likely bar her from the 2027 presidential race; they also sought four years in prison (one year custodial) but did not demand immediate ban, leaving open an appeal to the Cour de Cassation with a ruling anticipated before the 2027 vote. Le Pen could be replaced by Jordan Bardella, who has surged in polling in her absence.