Le Pen enters French presidential race despite fraud conviction threat

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National, announced on 7 July her candidacy in France's 2027 presidential election. She faces charges of misappropriating EU funds, and a conviction carrying a ban on holding public office could prevent her from running. The legal case remains unresolved and represents the biggest obstacle on her path to the Élysée Palace.