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What are the implications of Marine Le Pen's fraud conviction?

What are the implications of Marine Le Pen's fraud conviction?

Al Jazeera02-04-2025

Convicted of fraud and barred from public office.
The end of the road it would seem for Marine Le Pen's presidential ambitions.
She may appeal – but that is not likely to allow her run for the presidency in two years' time.
What are the implications?
Presenter:
Adrian Finighan
Guests:
Diane De Vignemont – independent journalist specialising in French politics and history.
Philippe Marliere – professor of French and European politics at University College London.
Lara Marlowe – Paris-based author and journalist.

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