Foreign

French Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Sentenced in Embezzlement Case

By Web News 83

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzling EU funds to finance her National Rally (RN) party, alongside eight ex-EU lawmakers and 12 aides.

A Paris court ruled the group ran an “organized system” from 2004–2016 to divert public money, paying parliamentary assistants for “fictitious work” that solely benefited the party.

The presiding judge, Benedicte de Perthuis dismissed claims of administrative errors, calling it deliberate embezzlement to cut party costs.

Prosecutors said 7 million Euros in EU funds were misused to pay RN staff while Le Pen, who denied wrongdoing and shook her head during the verdict, is expected to appeal.

Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate, received a four-year prison term (two suspended) and a ban from public office, although the length of the ban is not yet clear.

It also remains unclear if she will serve jail time or face alternatives like electronic monitoring.

The ruling deals a blow to her political ambitions as her anti-immigration party gains traction in France and Europe.

BBC/Maxwell Oyekunle

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Foreign

Presidential Poll: Cheers, Relief at Macron HQ

By Web News 512

Huge cheers erupted at the election night HQ of Emmanuel Macron.

French and EU flags waved wildly amongst supporters in this vast conference hall. Their man has made it through, as expected.

Nerves had been jangling tonight with fears the first-round vote could prove wafer-thin close. Supporters tell us they’re pleased with the lead he’s managed but also that the incumbent will now need to be more present on the campaign trail.

There’s work to do but overall tonight, a sense of relief.

  1. Exit polls suggest Emmanuel Macron will face a run-off against Marine Le Pen in the second round of France’s presidential election
  2. Macron comes first with 28.1% of the vote while Le Pen receives 23.3%, according to national broadcaster France Télévisions
  3. Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon comes in third place with about 20% of the votes
  4. Macron is vying to become the first French president to be re-elected in 20 years but faces a strong challenge from Le Pen
  5. Turnout has been down compared to the last presidential election in 2017

BBC