Le Pen fights for survival

Versailles - France's far-right leader, Mr Jean-Marie Le Pen, was fighting for his political survival yesterday as an appeal …

Versailles - France's far-right leader, Mr Jean-Marie Le Pen, was fighting for his political survival yesterday as an appeal court examined a decision to bar him from holding public office for two years.

Should he lose his appeal, Mr Le Pen will be unable to stand in European elections next June.

The hearing before the Versailles appeals court takes place following a plea from Mr Le Pen (70) against an April 2nd ruling stripping him of the right to run for public office for throwing punches at Ms Annette Peulvast-Bergeal, a Socialist rival, during campaigning last year.