Bangladesh, March 31 -- A ruling by a Paris court on March 31 has sent shockwaves through French politics, effectively barring right-wing leader Marine Le Pen from contesting the 2027 presidential election. The former leader of the National Rally (RN) and current head of its parliamentary faction was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years without parole, over allegations of embezzling European Union funds. The verdict, which also includes a five-year ban on holding public office, has sparked fierce debate about judicial neutrality, political fairness, and the future of French democracy.

The case against Le Pen and several other RN figures centers on accusations that they misused EU funds intended for parliamentary aides, redir...