**Prosecutors Seek to Bar Marine Le Pen from Office in Embezzlement Case**

Prosecutors have called for harsh penalties, including prison time and a ban from holding public office, for far-right French lawmaker Marine Le Pen in an embezzlement case. Accusations against Le Pen allege that she, her National Rally party, and 24 other individuals misappropriated European Parliament funds from 2004 to 2016. The funds, intended for parliamentary assistants, were allegedly diverted to party operations. Le Pen and all co-defendants deny these charges.

The prosecution has recommended Le Pen receive a five-year prison sentence, with three years suspended, and a €300,000 fine. Additionally, they have asked for a five-year ban on her running for public office, which would prevent her from participating in the 2027 presidential election. Prosecutors have emphasized the severity of Le Pen’s role, as she was both an MEP and the party leader during the period when these offenses purportedly occurred.

Crucially, the prosecution has requested that the sentence be enforced immediately, even if Le Pen appeals. Typically, penalties are suspended during appeals unless the judge decides otherwise. This unusual move highlights the prosecution's determination to prevent Le Pen from continuing her political career.

Le Pen addressed reporters after the court session, accusing the public prosecutors of aiming to eliminate her from political life. She underscored her intention to run for the presidency again, pointing out that the charges could disenfranchise millions of her supporters.

Prosecutor Louise Neyton described the embezzlement as "unprecedented" due to its duration and the scale of financial damages, which the European Parliament estimates at €4.5 million. Neyton argued that the accused treated the European Parliament as a “cash cow” and suggested that the embezzlement could have continued if not exposed.

In response, the European Parliament is seeking an additional €300,000 in compensation and has urged that all accused parties be found guilty. During the trial, evidence revealed that many purported parliamentary assistants had minimal or no presence in the Parliament, calling into question the legitimacy of their roles.

The National Rally party faces a proposed fine of €2 million, and the prosecution has recommended temporary bans on public office for other defendants ranging from one to five years.