French far-right leader Marine Le Pen briefly left a hearing on Tuesday (January 13), which kicked off an appeal trial that will determine whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election, after being barred from public office over a conviction for misusing EU funds.

Le Pen was handed a five-year ban in March from holding public office, effective immediately, after she and eight other former National Rally (RN) lawmakers were found guilty of misappropriating over 4 million euros ($4.67 million) of EU funds, while the party itself and a dozen parliamentary assistants were found guilty of receiving it.

Judges said that between 2004 and 2016, Le Pen and others had used funds destined for work at the European Parliament to pay staff who were actually working for the party.

Le Pen did not speak to reporters as she arrived in court on Tuesday, but told media the previous day her "only line of defence for this appeal trial will be the same as during the first trial: telling the truth."

The hearing is due to end on February 12. A ruling is expected before the summer, meaning Le Pen's hopes of running in 2027 remain alive if her five-year ban is revoked or drastically curtailed.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Marine Le Pen leaves Paris courtroom during break in appeal hearing

VIDEO SHOWS: FRENCH FAR-RIGHT LEADER, MARINE LE PEN, LEAVING AND RETURNING TO COURTROOM DURING HEARING IN APPEAL

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (JANUARY 13, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. FRENCH FAR-RIGHT LEADER, MARINE LE PEN, LEAVING COURTROOM DURING BREAK IN HEARING / LE PEN WALKING TO STAIRS TO LEAVE COURT BUILDING

2. PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE COURTROOM

3. LE PEN WALKING BACK TO COURTROOM, FOLLOWED BY LAWMAKER FROM NATIONAL RALLY PARTY BRUNO BILDE

4. LE PEN ENTERING COURTROOM/ POLICEWOMAN CLOSING DOOR