Marine Le Pen to run for French presidency and appeal conviction in top court
12 minutes ago
Laura Gozzi and Paul Kirby, Europe digital editor
AFP via Getty Images
Marine Le Pen has led France's leading nationalist party since 2011
French hard-right leader Marine Le Pen has said she will run for the presidency in 2027, and appeal to the country's highest court against an embezzlement conviction that requires her to wear an electronic tag for a year.
"I can't campaign with a tag," she told French TV. "I want to pursue all legal avenues to defend my innocence in this case."
Hours earlier, a Paris appeal court found her guilty of misusing €2.8m (£2.4m) in EU funds in a fake jobs scheme, but ruled she could stand for the presidency while wearing a tag.
She will now take the case to France's top civil court, the Court of Cassation.
The decision puts an end to months of speculation that Le Pen would hand the candidacy to the 30-year-old president of her National Rally party, Jordan Bardella.
Asked whether there was a scenario in which she might not run, she said: "No, there isn't. I am here tonight to tell you I am candidate for the 2027 elections."
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App . You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
