French far-right chief Le Pen put under house arrest

French far-right chief Marine Le Pen’s political future remained uncertain yesterday after a court sentenced her to a year under house arrest, potentially hampering a campaign for next year’s presidential elections when her party has its strongest chance yet of winning power.

The Paris appeals court found Le Pen guilty over a fake jobs scam at the European Parliament but reduced her sentence, banning her from office for 15 months as well as sentencing her to one year to be served with an electronic tag.

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Dating from March 2025, the ban is expected to have expired this year, clearing the way in principle for her to run in polls set for April and May next year, but she has said she may not run if the sentence prevents her from campaigning.

A lower court last year had sentenced Le Pen, 57, to a five-year ban from public office and a two-year sentence, threatening the three-time presidential candidate’s hopes to replace outgoing centrist President Emmanuel Macron.

Under the ban, Le Pen, who arrived in court yesterday wearing a pale pink jacket, could hand the candidacy to her 30-year-old lieutenant, Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally (RN) party.

“I’m not scared,” Le Pen said last week. “If I can run, I will -- as long as I can campaign.”