Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, said Tuesday that she will run in the French presidential election scheduled for 2027 [1].

The announcement marks a significant shift in the French political landscape, as Le Pen returns as a viable candidate for the presidency. Her eligibility was previously in question due to ongoing legal battles regarding the use of European Union funds.

Le Pen said this during an interview on the French television channel TF1 [1]. The decision to run follows a ruling by the Paris Court of Appeal, which reduced her penalty in a case involving the embezzlement of European Parliament funds [2]. This legal adjustment effectively restored her eligibility to seek the presidency [2].

Le Pen has long been a central figure in French politics, leading the National Rally with a platform centered on national sovereignty, and strict immigration controls. The reduction of her sentence by the court removes a primary legal hurdle that had threatened to sideline her from the 2027 contest [2].

While the National Rally has seen growth in legislative influence, the presidency remains the ultimate goal for the party's leadership. The 2027 election [1] will serve as a critical test of whether the party's platform can secure a majority of the national vote in a head-to-head executive race.

The legal proceedings regarding the embezzlement of EU funds have been a point of contention for years. The Paris Court of Appeal's decision to modify the penalty allows Le Pen to transition from a party leader and legislator back into a presidential contender [2].

“Marine Le Pen said Tuesday that she will run in the French presidential election scheduled for 2027”

Le Pen's reentry into the presidential race alters the strategic calculations for both centrist and left-wing coalitions in France. By removing the legal barrier to her candidacy, the court ruling ensures that the far-right will have its most prominent figurehead on the ballot, likely intensifying the polarization of the 2027 campaign around themes of national identity and EU relations.