Marine Le Pen appeals conviction, can start 2027 French presidential campaign without ankle bracelet

Marine Le Pen, the right‑wing candidate for France’s 2027 presidential election, has filed a revision (appeal) against her conviction for misappropriation of EU funds. The original judgment imposed a one‑year prison term and a mandatory electronic ankle bracelet for the duration of the sentence.

The appeal suspends enforcement of the bracelet, allowing Le Pen to begin her campaign without wearing the device. French media report that the Court of Cassation will rule on the appeal by early April, ahead of the first election round scheduled for 18 April 2027 and a second round on 2 May 2027. If the appeal is upheld, the ankle‑bracelet requirement could be reinstated later; if Le Pen were to win, presidential immunity would postpone any sentence until after her term.

The appellate filing also removed a prior disqualification of her passive electoral rights – a ban that had been reduced to 15 months from an initial five‑year term – enabling her to stand as a candidate. Commentators note the political ramifications, with some describing the situation as “Le Pen bleibt vorerst ohne Fußfessel”.