Embezzlement trial poses 'significant threat' to Le Pen's 2027 presidential run

The Paris prosecutor on Wednesday requested a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, at a trial where she and 24 others are accused of embezzling European Union funds. The trial, which comes almost a decade after initial investigations started, threatens to undermine her party's efforts to polish its image ahead of a 2027 presidential vote many believe she can win. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on the trial, which comes almost a decade after initial investigations started, FRANCE 24's Nadia Massih welcomes Dr Joseph Downing, Senior Lecturer International Relations and Politics at Aston University.