Le Pen critica la «decisión política» de la corte que la descalifica

The content provided regarding Marine Le Pen’s condemnation for misappropriation of public funds is as follows:

The leader of the national group of the French Ultra Party, Marine Le Pen, denounced the sentence issued by a court for misappropriation of public funds as a «political decision» to prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential elections.

«This process orchestrated by our political rivals is based on arguments that are not compatible. It is merely a difference in administrative criteria with the European Parliament. There is no personal enrichment. There is no corruption,» said Le Pen in an interview with TF1.

Therefore, the ultra-right leader lamented the «interference in the election of the French people» that is taking place with this judicial decision that implies her disqualification.

For Le Pen, «the rule of law was completely violated» by her disqualification, and she defended her right to run as a candidate «in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.» «They did not disqualify me, but millions of French voters,» she lamented.

Le Pen confirmed that she will appeal the sentence, acknowledging that this type of trial takes between 18 months and two years to reach a verdict. «It would be too late (but) there is a way. It is narrow, but it exists. Millions of French people believe in me,» she argued, referring to an appeal that will be filed «as soon as possible.» «I will appeal because I am innocent (…). It is obvious that we are all innocent and we want this innocence to be recognized,» she said.

«I am not demoralized. I am just as scandalized as you are. I am as indignant as you are. But this indignation, this sense of injustice will serve as an additional driving force to fight,» she said.

Regarding the possibility of Jordan Bardella, the current president of the national group, running for president, Le Pen emphasized that «it is an extraordinary advantage for the party, but I will not let myself be eliminated,» in response to a question about the scenario where Bardella is president and she is a supporting figure.

Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday, two of which are already under supervised release, to pay a fine of 100,000 euros, and a five-year disqualification for being involved in a scheme that diverted 2.9 million euros of European funds to pay party workers between 2004.

In total, there were 23 people sentenced to between six months and four years in prison, with Le Pen receiving the harshest punishment, accompanied by fines and disqualification, although in some cases it was suspended. Only one accused person paid the penalty.

FUENTE