Call Me Stormy

Le Pen Barred From Running

French politics has been rocked by the news that Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National), has been banned from running for public office for five years. The decision comes after a court found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds to finance her party.

Thus, France joins Brazil and Romania as another so-called democracy that instead acts like a two-bit dictatorship. As Le Pen faces jail, it’s France that faces the more dangerous breech. Its reputation as a hub for freedom stands seriously tarnished. Here’s more from the London-based The Daily Telegraph.