Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, stands trial in Paris for alleged misappropriation of EU funds. Alongside 24 others from her party, Le Pen is accused of creating fake jobs for parliamentary assistants from 2004 to 2016, redirecting funds meant for the European Parliament. If convicted, she faces up to ten years in prison and a ban on running for office, jeopardizing her 2027 presidential ambitions. Le Pen denies the charges but will personally attend the nine-week trial, which began Monday.
The case centers on claims that RN used EU funds to pay party workers who did not perform the parliamentary duties they were officially hired for. The prosecution alleges that some assistants spent as little as one and a half days in the EU Parliament over a year. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) estimates the damages at nearly seven million euros, with the RN having already repaid one million euros.
The trial threatens not only Le Pen's political future but also the recent efforts to normalize her party's image. Originally known as the Front National, RN has rebranded and attempted to distance itself from extreme positions. This case, however, brings unwelcome scrutiny back to the party's financial dealings.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine's father and RN co-founder, was also implicated but declared unfit for trial. The European Parliament joins as a civil party, seeking compensation for the misappropriated funds. The outcome of this trial could significantly impact the political landscape in France, especially as RN continues to wield substantial influence despite finishing third in the recent legislative elections.
