Marine Le Pen Faces Trial as Sébastien Lecornu Forces French Budget

Marine Le Pen began an appeals trial in Paris to challenge a fraud conviction just as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu forced through the 2026 budget.The legal case involves the alleged misuse of 2.9 million euros in EU funds which could result in a five-year ban from public office for the far-right leader.The National Rally has threatened a no-confidence motion following the government decision to bypass a parliamentary vote on the new austerity measures.