Italy responds to Paris court's blow to Le Pen's democracy

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented on the verdict from the court in Paris, which sentenced the leader of France's far-right, Marine Le Pen, to four years in prison, two of which are suspended, for embezzlement of public funds. Additionally, Le Pen received a five-year ban from running for public office. Meloni, quoted by "Il Messaggero," stressed that "no one who cares about democracy can celebrate a ruling that affects the leader of a major party and takes away the representation of millions of citizens."

Minister for European Affairs Tommaso Foti also criticised the court's decision, claiming that the ban on candidacy is "a way to eliminate political opponents". Foti emphasised that "political opponents are defeated at the election polls."

The co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists in the European Parliament, Nicola Procaccini, described the verdict as a "terrible failure of the rule of law in a key EU country."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the right-wing League, Matteo Salvini, expressed solidarity with Marine Le Pen, assessing the court's decision as a "declaration of war by Brussels."

The leader of the far-right in France was found guilty of misappropriating millions of euros in European funds. The prosecution demanded a five-year prison sentence for Le Pen, a fine of approximately £251,000, and a ban from holding public office for five years.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Le Pen to four years in prison, two of which are suspended. Part of the sentence may be served under electronic surveillance. Additionally, the court ordered the leader of France's far-right to pay a fine of approximately £84,000. She will also be unable to run for any public office for five years, meaning she will not be able to run for president for a fourth time. The French presidential elections are scheduled for 2027.