FRANCE’S far right leader Marine Le Pen has described tomorrow’s expected verdict in her embezzlement trial as her possible “political death.”

The outcome of the trial could derail Ms Le Pen’s plans to run in the next presidential election set for 2027.

A judge is set to rule on whether Ms Le Pen and her National Rally party embezzled European Parliament funds. 

She and 24 other party officials are accused of having used money intended for European Union parliamentary aides to instead pay staff who worked for the party between 2004 and 2016, violating the 27-nation bloc’s regulations.

Ms Le Pen and other co-defendants denied wrongdoing during the nine-week trial that took place in late 2024.

In the case of conviction, the court could impose a period where Ms Le Pen is ineligible to run for office “with immediate effect” — even if she files an appeal.

The court would also decide whether to give Ms Le Pen a prison sentence, which would be suspended during any appeal.

If she appeals, she will automatically be granted a new trial, but it would likely take place in 2026, just months before the presidential election.

Ms Le Pen appears to be expecting a guilty verdict, telling the panel of three judges: “I feel we didn’t succeed in convincing you.”

During the trial, prosecutors requested a two-year prison sentence for Ms Le Pen and a five-year period of ineligibility. They “want my political death,” Ms Le Pen said at the time.

In a key decision on Friday, the Constitutional Council ruled that a period of ineligibility with immediate effect is in line with the French constitution.

But it also stressed that it’s up to the judges to assess the consequences of imposing such a ban right away and make sure the ruling is “proportionate” and takes into consideration “the preservation of voters’ freedom.”

The Constitutional Council gave its ruling in a separate case that has no direct link with Ms Le Pen’s.