France’s Le Pen’s next court date hints at possible speedy appeal

PARIS — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s first court appearance after appealing an embezzlement conviction threatening her presidential aspirations will be held on Sept. 8, the Paris appeals court announced Friday.

The court will decide at that time when the appeal trial will start, meaning that an eventual verdict could come significantly earlier than a summer 2026 deadline promised by the French judiciary.

The longtime face of the French far-right was in March found guilty of embezzling funds from the European Parliament by hiring parliamentary assistants who worked mostly or exclusively on party business.

A three-judge panel handed her an immediate five-year ban on running for office — effectively barring her from standing in France’s next presidential election in 2027. Le Pen has repeatedly maintained her innocence and framed the verdict as an attempt to block her from the presidency.

Le Pen swiftly appealed the lower courts’ decision. Shortly after, the appeals court took the unusual step of saying it will issue a decision on the appeal by summer of next year — so her fate is settled before the presidential election.

Le Pen also sought to have her punishment lifted through an emergency appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, which was rejected. Once the appeal trial begins, she will also have the option of mounting a constitutional challenge — though recent attempts in similar cases have been struck down.