Marine Le Pen has confirmed her candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election following a recent court decision that shortened her ban from holding public office. The leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party had been barred from standing for five years after a March 2025 ruling found that she had misused European Parliament funds by employing party staff with money allocated for parliamentary work.

An appeals court reduced the length of the ban, allowing Le Pen to contest the upcoming election. However, she will be required to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year as part of the court’s ruling.

Le Pen, 57, has sought to reinvigorate her political career despite the legal and reputational setbacks stemming from the case. The ban had placed her status and ambitions in doubt since it was initially imposed, but the recent decision has cleared the path for her to seek the presidency once again.

Her involvement in the case relates to allegations that the European Parliament funds were improperly diverted to pay wages for employees working on National Rally political activities rather than parliamentary duties. The allegations led to the original five-year prohibition on her holding elected office, which was unprecedented for a major French political figure.

The court’s requirement for her to wear the ankle tag marks a notable condition rarely seen at this level of political contestation in France. It reflects ongoing judicial oversight connected to the case, even as her eligibility was reinstated.

Le Pen’s announcement signals a continuation of her far-right platform, which has gained significant traction in France over recent years. Her campaign is expected to emphasize issues such as immigration and national identity, consistent with the National Rally’s established positions.

The upcoming election will test Le Pen’s ability to mobilize support under the constraints imposed by her legal status, as well as against a field of other candidates from across the French political spectrum.