Le Pen's Political Ban Expires; Conviction Upheld

France's appeals court confirmed Marine Le Pen's embezzlement conviction on July 7 but reduced her public office ban from five years to 15 months—already served since her March 2025 sentencing. She remains convicted and must complete one year under house arrest with electronic monitoring. The ruling clears her legal path to the 2027 presidential race, though the corruption conviction carries lasting political weight.