French court shortens Le Pen's ban from office but orders electronic tag

PARIS - A French appeals court on Tuesday upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for misusing EU funds but shortened her ban on running for elected office, potentially re-opening a path for the far-right leader to run in the 2027 presidential race.

However, the court ruled Le Pen serve a three-year jail term. Although the court said two years were suspended, it ordered her to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year, making a presidential campaign politically and logistically difficult.

The ruling casts fresh doubt on whether she will seek France's highest office next year.

(Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Richard Lough and Makini Brice)

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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 8:05 AM.