Marine Le Pen Faces Potential Immediate Ban as French Court Ruling Adds Pressure Ahead of Verdict

France's Constitutional Court upholds the legality of immediate office bans, intensifying the stakes for Le Pen's embezzlement trial verdict due on March 31.

• Marine Le Pen awaits a court verdict on March 31, which could result in a five-year ban from holding public office, effective immediately.
• France's Constitutional Court ruled on March 28 that immediate bans from office, even during an appeals process, are legally enforceable.
• Prosecutors accuse Le Pen and her party of embezzling over €3 million in European Parliament funds, with allegations spanning from 2004 to 2016.
• If convicted and banned, Le Pen would be disqualified from running in the 2027 presidential election, where she is currently a leading contender.
• The National Rally has identified party president Jordan Bardella as a backup candidate but faces internal doubts about his readiness to lead a presidential campaign.

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