• Marine Le Pen denies any organized scheme to misuse EU funds during her appeal trial.
• She admits some EU parliamentary aides worked for her party, acknowledging “a mistake.”
• The outcome of her trial could significantly impact her chances in the 2027 presidential election.
• Le Pen argues that her actions were taken in good faith, criticizing the European Parliament's oversight.
• A ruling on her eligibility for the presidential race is expected before summer 2026.

In her ongoing appeal trial in Paris, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has firmly denied any wrongdoing regarding the alleged misappropriation of EU funds, stating, "I formally contest the idea that there was a kind of system," as the court examines claims of misusing over €4 million intended for parliamentary staff from 2004 to 2016. Le Pen is fighting to overturn a five-year ban from running for office, which jeopardizes her prospects for the 2027 presidential election, following a prior conviction for misusing EU funds, according to Reuters.

During the trial, Le Pen admitted to a “mistake,” acknowledging that some aides who were funded through EU channels performed work for her party, stating, “the mistake lies here: there were certainly some aides... who must have worked... for the benefit of the party." Despite this, she argued that any missteps were unintentional and expressed that her party acted in "good faith," emphasizing the lack of clarity in the European Parliament's administration during that period, according to Le Monde and LA Times.

As the trial progresses, Le Pen's defense strategy has shifted away from challenging the legitimacy of the charges to focusing on legal arguments. She asserted that accusations of a "system" to funnel EU funds were misleading, stating, “The term 'system' bothers me because it gives the impression of manipulation." If her appeal fails, she could face a maximum of ten years in prison and substantial fines, further complicating her political ambitions and potential succession plans for her party, as noted in Reuters and Le Monde.

The appeals trial is expected to conclude by mid-February, with the court's ruling anticipated before summer 2026. The outcome will likely influence not only Le Pen's ability to run but also the broader political landscape in France as she aims to position herself for the upcoming presidential election, according to LA Times.