French right-wing populist Marine Le Pen sentenced. What happens now?

French right-wing populist Marine Le Pen has been suspended from political office for five years due to misappropriation of public funds. As a result, she cannot, as planned, take part in the 2027 presidential elections for her Rassemblement National (RN) party. The judge has also ruled that she will receive two years of house arrest. What consequences does this verdict have on French and her party, the RN?

Marine Le Pen, head of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party, is leading the opinion polls for the 2027 French presidential election. Source: AAP / Lafargue Raphael/ABACA/PA

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