A high-stakes trial is set to open in Paris on Monday, lasting two months, involving members of France’s far-right party, the National Rally (RN). The 27 members and former members of the party, including Marine Le Pen and her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, are charged with embezzling millions of euros of European funds to pay people working for the national political party. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to €1 million, and being ineligible to run for elected office for five years. These charges could potentially affect Marine Le Pen’s chances of running for president in the 2027 election, as she is currently seen as a favorable candidate among voters.
The allegations against the RN date back to the years 2004-2016, with charges including embezzlement of public funds, complicity in doing so, or concealment. Those on trial include MEPs, long-time politicians, and party workers. The party has denied the allegations, stating they will present their arguments in court. The investigation began in 2015 when former European Parliament President Martin Schulz alerted authorities of possible fraudulent use of funds meant for paying parliamentary assistants. The Paris prosecutor’s office opened a judicial investigation in 2016, resulting in an indictment against the 27 party members last year.
The European Parliament is seeking compensation for financial and reputational damage as a civil party in the case against the RN members. Reports estimate damages to be nearly €7 million, although this number has been updated recently. The misuse of public funds is not a new issue in European politics, as seen in cases involving the MoDem party in France and other instances of fraudulent payments related to parliamentary assistants. There have been examples of individuals misusing EU funds for personal gain, leading to investigations and legal proceedings.
Recent investigations into embezzlement of public funds have been expanded to include cases in Lithuania and Italy, where parliamentary assistants allegedly received payments for work they did not perform. These cases highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of European funds. The trial in France involving the RN members raises questions about the misuse of public money for political purposes and the accountability of elected officials. As the trial unfolds over the next two months, the outcome will have significant implications for the future of the far-right party in France and its leaders.
