France, Feb. 12 -- Their verdict will shape the political future of Le Pen, who has said she will give up her ambition to become France's first female president if she loses her appeal.

In March 2025, the three-time presidential candidate was found guilty of misusing EU funds through a fake-jobs scam.

During the trialin 2024, Le Pen, the RN and 23 party figures were accused of diverting European Parliament money to pay staff between 2004 and 2016, when the party was known as the National Front (FN).

The total amount embezzled was €4.4 million, of which €1.1 million has been reimbursed.

Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two to be served under electronic tagging, and barred from political activity for five y...