Marine Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison and banned from holding public office for five years after being found guilty of embezzling EU funds.

The ruling threatens her 2027 presidential bid, where she was a frontrunner.

Le Pen plans to appeal, but she remains ineligible unless overturned, NBC News has reported.

The trial, accusing her and 24 others of misusing over €3 million, has sparked political debate in France and condemnation from far-right leaders across Europe.

Written by B.C. Begley