François Fillon has been discharged from jail.
In the news today: The Paris Court of Appeals has put an end to the legal woes of former French Prime Minister, François Fillon. After numerous trials and appeals, Fillon has avoided prison time for embezzlement of parliamentary funds.
Once a prominent figure in French politics, Fillon found himself in hot water when accusations of misappropriation of public funds, committed while he was a deputy, surfaced. The funds were intended for fictitious work carried out by his wife, Penelope Fillon, and his former parliamentary assistant, Marc Joula.
All three were found guilty of embezzling public funds and acquitted on appeals, though the French Court of Cassation upheld the initial verdict on April 24, 2024. Attempts to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights were made, but within France, the verdicts could no longer be overturned.
The sentence handed down initially was severe; Fillon was sentenced to four years in prison, with three years suspended and one year to serve, along with a fine of €375,000 and a ten-year ban on running for office. Penelope Fillon received a two-year suspended sentence, the same fine, and a two-year ban on passive voting rights. Marc Joula was sentenced to three years suspended and a five-year political disqualification.
Back in May 2022, the Paris Court of Cassation decided to review part of the sentence, deeming the one year of imprisonment for Fillon unjustified. Today, the prosecutor requested that Fillon serve only four years of suspended imprisonment, coupled with the €375,000 fine and a ten-year ban on passive voting rights. This means Fillon will likely not serve actual time in prison.
The Fillon trial has been seen as a significant precedent in French politics, also known as the "Penelopegate" scandal. The trial, which led to Fillon's downfall in the 2017 presidential election, serves as a warning to all aspiring politicians.
Interestingly, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party, currently faces similar accusations of embezzlement of public funds. If convicted, Le Pen could face disqualification from participating in the 2027 presidential election. The Fillon trial has undoubtedly set a powerful example for all politicians holding high office.
Alexei Tarkhanov, Paris
A closer look: Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right Rassemblement National party, has been convicted in a case involving embezzlement of EU parliamentary aides' funds. The verdict has far-reaching consequences for her participation in the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two years to serve at home with an electronic tag. She was also fined €100,000 and been given an immediate five-year ban from running for public office. If the sentence stands, this ban effectively prevents her from running for the 2027 presidential election, unless an appeal overturns it prior to the election. The conviction has dented her efforts to mainstream her party and may affect her public image.
The party must also pay restitution for the embezzled funds, causing a financial burden. Le Pen has portrayed this burden as a potential threat to her party’s existence, using it as a narrative to gain sympathy or support. Despite the unfavorable court verdict, Le Pen continues to gather public support through rallies, albeit with mixed public reactions.
- Despite the verdict in the "Penelopegate" scandal, which led to François Fillon's downfall in the 2017 presidential election, another prominent figure in French politics, Marine Le Pen, has faced similar accusations of embezzlement of public funds.
- Currently serving as the leader of the far-right Rassemblement National party, Marine Le Pen was recently convicted in a case involving embezzlement of EU parliamentary aides' funds.
- Akin to Fillon's sentence, Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two years to serve at home with an electronic tag, and was fined €100,000, along with a five-year ban from running for public office.
- The conviction and sentence facing Marine Le Pen could potentially prevent her from participating in the 2027 presidential election unless an appeal overturns the verdict prior to the election, affecting her efforts to mainstream her party and potentially denting her public image.
