Sentence is blow to National Rally even though the core of Le Pen’s electorate is likely to rally behind her

• Europe live – latest updates

It is a political earthquake that is almost certain to end Marine Le Pen’s ambitions for the 2027 presidential election and throws her far-right party into chaos just as it was setting its sights on taking power in France.

Barred from running for political office for five years with immediate effect after being convicted of embezzling European funds for her party, Le Pen’s political future is now thrown into doubt. She will most likely not be able to mount a fourth campaign for the presidency in two years’ time.