Marine Le Pen, a prominent French politician, alongside eight other members from her right-wing party, were convicted of embezzling public funds on Monday. Consequently, Le Pen received a ban on running for public office.

The French court has yet to specify the duration of Le Pen’s ineligibility to hold office. She exited the courtroom abruptly before the sentence was fully announced. Le Pen, a leading contender for the 2027 presidential race, has expressed that being barred from this election would amount to “political death” for her.

Le Pen claims that such a prohibition would also disenfranchise her supporters. She was the runner-up to French President Emmanuel Macron in both the 2017 and 2022 races, and her National Rally party has significantly increased its following in recent years.

“There are 11 million people who voted for the movement I represent. So tomorrow, potentially, millions and millions of French people would see themselves deprived of their candidate in the election,” Le Pen told the court prior to her sentencing.

President Donald Trump is a polarizing figure in Europe. (Fox News / Hannity)

Last week, the Trump administration touted its negotiations with Ukraine and Russia and said both nations had agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea – but the Kremlin later confirmed this was only contingent on the removal of international economic restrictions.

“Russia shall have no right of say regarding the support we are providing and will provide Ukraine, nor shall they set the conditions,” Macron reportedly said in response.

Macron also shot down Trump’s call for Europe to consider ending sanctions on Moscow.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.