Interesting.......is France now headed towards Banana Republic status?

[DJ Spanky]

Prosecutors trying to prevent the leading candidate from standing in the next presidential election.

BBC >> Decision day in court for Marine Le Pen's French presidential hopes

But to general surprise the prosecutor also said that Le Pen's punishment should be not just a €300,000 (£250,000) fine and prison term, but also ineligibility from running for public office for five years.

The three judges are not obliged to follow the prosecutor's recommendations.

But if they do, it would mean Le Pen, who is 56, being barred from standing in a presidential election in which she is tipped as a potential winner.

Many French commentators – and not only those who support Le Pen – have warned of grave consequences for democracy if the judiciary is seen as interfering in the choice of the country's leader.

"The justice system has the fate of Marine Le Pen in its hands… For her to be convicted for any wrong-doing is perfectly normal. But stopping her from running in the presidential [election] - that's another matter entirely," wrote veteran analyst Franz-Olivier Giesbert in the centre-right Le Point magazine.

"Is it not hazardous - not to say perilous - to give to judges the task of determining whether this or that candidate has the capacity to run for office?" said Bruno Jeudi, editor of La Tribune Dimanche newspaper on Sunday.

 

[Jerry]

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

 

[Jerry]

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

 

[interrobang]

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

 

[Jerry]

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

 

[DJ Spanky]

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

 

[Fayette_LION]

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.