Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Alleged Misuse of EU Funds

[Social Media]

 

Marine Le Pen, the long-time leader of France's far-right National Rally and a recurring presidential candidate, has begun a trial in Paris, facing accusations of misusing European parliamentary funds. Along with over 20 senior members of her party, Le Pen is accused of employing parliamentary assistants who were working on party matters rather than for the European Parliament, which paid their salaries.

 

If found guilty, Le Pen could face significant legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a potential disqualification from holding office for up to 10 years. Such a verdict would be a serious blow to her ambitions for the French presidency. However, Le Pen has firmly denied any wrongdoing. Laurent Jacobelli, a spokesperson for the National Rally, expressed confidence in Le Pen's defense, stating, "We are going to prove that there is no system to embezzle money from the EU." He further argued that it is entirely possible for someone to serve as a European parliamentary assistant while also engaging in National Rally affairs.

 

The accusations stem from an investigation that began in 2015, targeting alleged fake jobs linked to contracts for parliamentary assistants from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors allege that some individuals hired under these contracts were not fulfilling parliamentary duties, with one of the assistants allegedly acting as a bodyguard for Le Pen and her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party’s founder. Jean-Marie Le Pen, now 96 years old, faces similar charges but is not attending the trial due to his poor health.

 

Prosecutors are seeking to recover over €3 million (£2.5 million), although the National Rally has already repaid €1 million (£834,000), a move the party claims is not an admission of guilt. The trial is expected to last nearly two months, and its outcome could significantly impact Le Pen’s political future.

 

Marine Le Pen stepped down from leading the National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, in 2017, though she remains a prominent figure in French politics. She has run for the presidency three times—in 2012, 2017, and 2022—and is positioning herself for a possible 2027 presidential bid. Her party has long promoted policies that prioritize restricting immigration, reinforcing law and order, and cutting taxes, with a particular emphasis on limiting social welfare benefits to French citizens.

 

In the June parliamentary elections, Le Pen was re-elected in the first round, and her party achieved a surprising third-place finish, despite a prior victory in the European Parliament elections. In contrast, the left-wing parties secured the most legislative seats. Following these elections, President Emmanuel Macron appointed a right-wing government, reflecting the shifting political dynamics in France.

 

As Le Pen’s trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will affect her political career and the future of the National Rally. While the charges pose a serious threat, her denial of any wrongdoing and her party’s continued support suggest that she may yet overcome this latest challenge to her presidential ambitions.

 

Based on a report from: BBC 2024-10-01

 

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

Oh dear.

 

And Law and order one of her platforms.

 

 

[SanSaiExPat]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Marine Le Pen, the long-time leader of France's far-right National Rally and a recurring presidential candidate, has begun a trial in Paris, facing accusations of misusing European parliamentary funds. Along with over 20 senior members of her party, Le Pen is accused of employing parliamentary assistants who were working on party matters rather than for the European Parliament, which paid their salaries.

 

If found guilty, Le Pen could face significant legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a potential disqualification from holding office for up to 10 years. Such a verdict would be a serious blow to her ambitions for the French presidency. However, Le Pen has firmly denied any wrongdoing. Laurent Jacobelli, a spokesperson for the National Rally, expressed confidence in Le Pen's defense, stating, "We are going to prove that there is no system to embezzle money from the EU." He further argued that it is entirely possible for someone to serve as a European parliamentary assistant while also engaging in National Rally affairs.

 

The accusations stem from an investigation that began in 2015, targeting alleged fake jobs linked to contracts for parliamentary assistants from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors allege that some individuals hired under these contracts were not fulfilling parliamentary duties, with one of the assistants allegedly acting as a bodyguard for Le Pen and her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party’s founder. Jean-Marie Le Pen, now 96 years old, faces similar charges but is not attending the trial due to his poor health.

 

Prosecutors are seeking to recover over €3 million (£2.5 million), although the National Rally has already repaid €1 million (£834,000), a move the party claims is not an admission of guilt. The trial is expected to last nearly two months, and its outcome could significantly impact Le Pen’s political future.

 

 

Marine Le Pen stepped down from leading the National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, in 2017, though she remains a prominent figure in French politics. She has run for the presidency three times—in 2012, 2017, and 2022—and is positioning herself for a possible 2027 presidential bid. Her party has long promoted policies that prioritize restricting immigration, reinforcing law and order, and cutting taxes, with a particular emphasis on limiting social welfare benefits to French citizens.

 

In the June parliamentary elections, Le Pen was re-elected in the first round, and her party achieved a surprising third-place finish, despite a prior victory in the European Parliament elections. In contrast, the left-wing parties secured the most legislative seats. Following these elections, President Emmanuel Macron appointed a right-wing government, reflecting the shifting political dynamics in France.

 

As Le Pen’s trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will affect her political career and the future of the National Rally. While the charges pose a serious threat, her denial of any wrongdoing and her party’s continued support suggest that she may yet overcome this latest challenge to her presidential ambitions.

 

Based on a report from: BBC 2024-10-01

 

 

 

 

[SanSaiExPat]

It would be nice to see her replace the current scum bag French leadership that is destroying France with rampant, unfettering influx of Muslim Military Aged Males.

[JonnyF]

No surprise to see these charges. 

 

She's getting far too popular, far too dangerous for the Liberal elites. 

[herfiehandbag]

Am I alone in seeing the irony of the EU, possibly the most corrupt and corrupted, fiscally leaky and virtually unaudited political institution ever, clambering onto the moral high ground in order to prosecute a national politician who dares to challenge them?  In terms of misuse of funds the EU is a legend for corruption in its own generously subsidised lunchtimes!

 

Gracious me, the EU makes the Ottoman Empire look like the role model for lean  mean, stripped out, political and fiscal multinational governance!

[john donson]

don't they all do that... nepotism, friends, family, ... but because she dares to speak up for what is left of the old country...

[Purdey]

Nice to see intellectual debate about the politics in a country other than the U.S. and the U.K. for a change. 

[candide]

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

No surprise to see these charges. 

 

She's getting far too popular, far too dangerous for the Liberal elites. 

Complete B.S. Another party belonging to Macron's coalition has been convicted for exactly the same reason! 😃

[RayC]

Those opposed to the EU are always complaining that it needs to do more to uncover and prosecute those guilty of corruption; however, when it does precisely that, the same people complain that such investigations are nothing more than a political witchhunt.

 

Hypocrisy much?

[farangkinok]

It appears that the French leftists have learned much from the corrupt scum in the Biden/Harris administration about how to use lawfare against their political opponents .

[Inderpland]

37 minutes ago, farangkinok said:

It appears that the French leftists have learned much from the corrupt scum in the Biden/Harris administration about how to use lawfare against their political opponents .

You mean holding officials accountable for their crimes? I think they knew this already - they're not 'elites' for nothing.

[candide]

9 hours ago, farangkinok said:

It appears that the French leftists have learned much from the corrupt scum in the Biden/Harris administration about how to use lawfare against their political opponents .

More B.S. The first party to be convicted for the same matter was a pro-Macron party! 😀