Crucially, prosecutors also asked that the sentence be immediately executed, even if Le Pen were to appeal. Typically an appeal means that penalties in a case are suspended unless the presiding judge determines otherwise.
“It’s clear that the only thing the public prosecutors wanted was Marine Le Pen’s exclusion from political life,” Le Pen told reporters after court had adjourned.
During the trial last week, Le Pen said that she was planning to run for the French presidency for a fourth time, and that “millions of French people would be deprived of their presidential candidate” if she is barred from doing so.
Shortly before announcing the requested sentencing, prosecutor Louise Neyton urged the court to take into account the “unprecedented” nature of the embezzlement due to the long period of time over which the system allegedly took place and the estimated damages.
The accused “made the European Parliament their cash cow and were looking to continue to do so,” Neyton said. “If the European Parliament had not blown the whistle, the facts would have continued and the embezzlement would have been even greater.”
The defense will now be given the opportunity to make its case before the judge, who will announce a verdict date before Nov. 27. The verdict itself is expected early next year.
