The meat of her conviction seems to be: <i>The three-time presidential candidate was accused of having hired four fictitious assistants when she was an MEP (2004-2017). In reality, they allegedly worked for the Front National (FN). The assistants, who were paid by the European Parliament, allegedly carried out tasks linked to the management of the party rather than work related to European parliamentary activity, as is normally required of such positions.</i><p><a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2025/03/31/french-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-found-guilty-of-embezzlement-of-public-funds_6739685_7.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2025/03/31/french-f...</a>
"<i>All the RN officials including Le Pen were banned from running for office, with the judge specifying that the sanction should come into force with immediate effect even if an appeal is lodged.</i>"<p>This will lead to even more claims that this is all politically motivated because this immediate effect is what will prevent her from running from President. This immediate effect for a verdict that is not final (there can be, and in this case will be, an appeal) is not automatic, it is for the court to specifically mandate it, and if it does not then an appeal suspends the effect.