In statements to Europe 1 and CNews, the candidate asserted her innocence and her expectation of proving her innocence in a new trial next year, following her conviction for embezzlement of public funds in a case involving payments to alleged parliamentary assistants in the European Parliament.

“I hope the court doesn’t make a decision before letting me speak,” the MP and current leader of the RN faction in the National Assembly said.

Le Pen was sentenced last March to four years in prison and five years of disqualification from office, in a process she considered political and whose decision she appealed along with a dozen other convicted party members.

At the time, the Prosecutor’s Office claimed to have no doubt about the leader’s responsibility, and the court’s ruling reflected that she was at the “heart of the plot.” Therefore, it also imposed a fine on her, citing a scheme to embezzle funds that caused more than three million euros in losses to taxpayers.

Just a few days ago, a Paris court announced that the appeal hearing would take place in January and February 2026, with the verdict anticipated a few months later, well in advance of the presidential elections.

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