Marine Le Pen's immunity lifted: What does it mean for the French elections?
European parliament takes vote on National Front leader's tweets of Islamic State violence
EU politicians have voted to lift French far-right leader Marine Le Pen's immunity so she can be prosecuted for tweeting gruesome images of Islamic State violence, including the beheading of a US journalist.
Members of the legal affairs committee voted by 18 to three in favour of the politician losing her immunity, saying of the images: "It is beyond question that their violent nature is likely to undermine human dignity. Their publication therefore warrants the opening of criminal proceedings."
The decision was confirmed by the European parliament yesterday, following a request from a French prosecutor. Le Pen could face three years in jail if she is charged and found guilty.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Le Pen may calculate that this is an issue that will do her no harm with hard-right supporters of her party, the Front National," says the BBC's Kevin Connolly.
This is not the first time she has lost her diplomatic immunity, which is given to MEPs to ensure free speech. She previously lost her parliamentary privilege in 2013, over comments she made about Muslims. She was prosecuted in 2015 with "incitement to discrimination over people's religious beliefs", for comparing Muslims praying in public to the Nazi occupation of France during World War II, Reuters reports. "Prosecutors eventually recommended the charges be dropped."
The latest controversy follows a separate scandal surrounding Le Pen's alleged misuse of EU funds. She "has been asked to pay back more than $320,000 [£260,000] to the European parliament because two of her aides in Brussels were actually working for her campaign in France", NPR reports. "She has denied any wrongdoing."
What did the tweets contain?
In late 2014, Le Pen posted a series of vitriolic tweets that included photographs of killings by IS, writing: "Daesh [IS's Arabic name] is THIS!" The posts drew revulsion and criticism from bereaved families and French politicians across the political spectrum.
She defended the posts by saying she had merely wanted to condemn the barbaric practices of the terror group.
"I'm a lawmaker. I'm in my role when I condemn Daesh. This is my role," she told French TV station LCP. "If I don't fulfill my role, I'm worth nothing as a lawmaker.
"Nobody can prevent a representative of the Republic from condemning Daesh's acts of violence."
France 24 says Le Pen "has so far refused to attend a police interview over the investigation… citing her status as a member of the European parliament".
Will she be prosecuted?
It is unclear whether prosecutors will take legal action before this year's presidential elections, which will be held in two rounds in April and May.
Under French law, the maximum penalty for distributing violent images is three years in prison and a fine of up to €75,000 (£64,000).
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Fall into the groove at these delightful record stores
The Week Recommends Each one strikes its own chord
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How likely are you to get audited by the IRS?
The Explainer The odds are greater for some than others
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 22, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How green onions could swing South Korea's election
The Explainer Country's president has fallen foul of the oldest trick in the campaign book, not knowing the price of groceries
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's battle to save Kharkiv from Putin's drones
The Explainer Country's second-largest city has been under almost daily attacks since February amid claims Russia wants to make it uninhabitable
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published