French court bans Marine Le Pen from holding public office

The ruling could mean that Le Pen, 56, will not be able to participate in France's next presidential election, scheduled for 2027.
A French court has banned far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in elections following her conviction over a fake jobs scheme, specifying that the punishment must take effect immediately even if appealed.
Marine Le Pen and eight MPs from her National Assembly (NA) party were found guilty by a Paris court of embezzling public funds, AFP reported.
The ruling could mean that Le Pen, 56, will not be able to participate in the next presidential election, scheduled for 2027, in which she so far looks like the favourite after three failed attempts.
She left the courtroom after the verdict was announced, but before the judge announced decisions on possible jail terms and fines.
The prosecution wants five years in prison for Le Pen, including two years that can be commuted to community service, and a fine of 300,000 euros. | BGNES