PARIS (AP) — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she won’t run for president next year if a Paris appeals court orders her to wear an electronic bracelet over alleged misuse of European Union funds.The appeals court will deliver its key verdict on Tuesday.Le Pen, 57, has challenged a March 2025 ruling that found her and other members of her National Rally party guilty of misusing EU Parliament funds in the hiring of aides from 2004 to 2016 who allegedly worked for the party instead of doing parliamentary tasks.If convicted again, she could be sentenced to a ban from elected office or have to wear an electronic tag — or both — among other options.“If I can be a candidate, I will be a candidate, provided that I am able to campaign,” Le Pen said in an interview with LCI channel late Wednesday. “Because if I’m allowed to be a candidate but am effectively prevented from campaigning freely, then you understand that wouldn’t be possible.”
Asked specifically whether an electronic bracelet would be the main obstacle, she replied: “Well, of course. I can’t be dependent on a judge to authorize me to go hold a campaign rally ... or to visit a market.”
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Le Pen has denied accusations that she was at the center of a fraudulent system meant to siphon off EU funds.France will hold the first round of its next presidential election on April 18, with a runoff set for May 2.
