French court clears path for conservative presidential candidate, but house arrest threatens campaign

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally party, had her five-year ban from holding public office reduced to one year by a French court, clearing her legal eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election. As part of her sentencing in a campaign finance case, Le Pen was ordered to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, a restriction that will remain in place during any campaign activities. The court's decision on the ban reduction was announced in 2026. Le Pen had been convicted of misusing European Parliament funds for party purposes.

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