Marine Le Pen launches France presidential campaign after ban reduced

Far-right leader plans to take part in 2027 race despite appeal court upholding her conviction for embezzlement

The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has launched her presidential campaign after a decision by a court of appeal shortened her ban on running for office, allowing her to take part in the 2027 vote.

Le Pen said voters would decide her future. “I’m a citizen like anyone else, who is using their rights,” she said on Wednesday, attempting to brush aside legal woes that her political opponents said would plague her campaign for next spring’s presidential election.