Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Alleged Misuse of EU Funds

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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