French far-right Le Pen 1st trial sentenced to 'suspension of funds' in March next year

The first trial date for Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Union, who is on trial for embezzling European Parliament funds, has been set for March 31 next year.Depending on the outcome of the

sentence, Le Pen may not be able to run for president in 2027.

Rep. Le Pen, who came out of a final trial in a Paris court on the 27th local time, denied the allegations to reporters and repeatedly insisted that the case was a political trial.

Earlier, the prosecution asked Rep. Le Pen to seek five years in prison, five years of deprivation of election rights, a fine of 300,000 euros, and about 450 million won in our money, and to immediately apply the deprivation of election rights even if the appeals court proceeds.

Rep. Le Pen was indicted on charges of using 3 million euros in European Parliament activities and 4.46 billion won in our money to pay party aides from 2004 to 2016.

The National Union denied the allegations but repaid 1 million euros.