Le Pen(alty)

One of France’s top party leaders is saying “adieu” to her next presidential bid. 

Marine Le Pen, the longtime leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, has been barred from running for an elected office for five years after being convicted of embezzling $3.4M of E.U. funds between 2004 and 2016. She also faces two years of house arrest.

Le Pen, who led the National Rally to prominence and was the front-runner in early polls for the 2027 presidential election, called Monday’s ruling a “political decision” and promised to appeal, but a re-trial and ruling are unlikely to be completed before the next election. 

Jordan Bardella, Le Pen’s political protégé and current National Rally president, said the country should be “outraged” by the sentence. Bardella is expected to take Le Pen’s place on the 2027 ballot. 

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Christians should always root for justice and fairness, whether it's a presidential contender or a random person on trial. Our job is to try to please Jesus, who will judge everyone fairly and win in the end. 

“Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences.” 
2 Corinthians 5:9-11 (CSB) (read full passage)