Factual Summary: Marine Le Pen, convicted in March 2025 of misusing EU parliamentary funds, faces a Paris appeals court ruling on Tuesday, 27 August 2026. The lower court imposed a suspended prison term and a five‑year ban on elected office effective 31 March 2025. The appeals court could acquit her, reduce the ban to two years or less—allowing it to expire before the April 2027 election—or uphold a heavier sentence, including a four‑year term and a five‑year ban as prosecutors request. If barred, National Rally leader Jordan Bardella may become the party’s presidential candidate, reshaping the race.
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Headline accurately reflects the conditional impact on Le Pen's candidacy; AP provides original court‑based reporting with direct quotes, maintaining a neutral tone; the article supplies substantial context about legal outcomes and electoral implications.