Marine Le Pen, the prominent leader of France’s far-right National Rally and a candidate for the presidency, has commenced trial in Paris over allegations of misusing European parliamentary funds.
Over 20 senior members of her party are facing similar charges, accused of employing assistants who, instead of fulfilling their duties within the European Parliament, were reportedly engaged in party-related activities.
Should Le Pen be convicted, she could face substantial fines, imprisonment, and potentially a ban from public office for up to a decade—severely jeopardizing her future presidential aspirations. She continues to assert her innocence, with a party spokesperson affirming, “we will demonstrate that no system exists to misappropriate EU funds.”
The spokesperson emphasized the legitimacy of assistants for European parliamentarians participating in party activities. Additionally, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party’s founder and Le Pen’s father, faces charges but will be absent from the trial due to health issues.
Allegations of fraudulent employment practices first emerged in 2015, related to contracts for parliamentary assistants from 2004 through 2016. As a seasoned party leader and former EU lawmaker, Le Pen is spotlighted in the case, with prosecutors alleging that one of the assistants was actually employed as a bodyguard for both her and her father.
Prosecutors are aiming to recover over 3 million euros, with the National Rally already repaying 1 million euros, which they insist is not an acknowledgment of liability.
The trial is projected to span nearly two months. Despite stepping down as president of the National Front in 2017, Le Pen has previously campaigned in presidential elections in 2012, 2017, and 2022, and is preparing for a potential run in 2027.
Her party has garnered attention for promoting stringent immigration policies, advocating for social welfare restrictions for non-French citizens, and pushing for law enforcement enhancements and tax reductions. Le Pen was re-elected to parliament during the initial round of France’s parliamentary elections in June, although her party only secured third place, following a significant win in the recent European Parliament elections. Meanwhile, the left emerged victorious in securing the highest number of legislative seats, leading to the appointment of a right-wing government by President Emmanuel Macron.
