Le Pen and Far-Right Party in Court Over Alleged EU Funds Misuse

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 30-09-2024

The longstanding legal case could potentially derail Marine Le Pen’s anticipated run for the French presidency in 2027.

Marine Le Pen, the far-right French leader who has contested the presidency in the last three elections, along with members of her National Rally (RN) party, is facing trial for accusations of misusing European Union funds.

The trial, set to last for nine weeks and beginning Monday morning, has garnered attention from Le Pen’s political opponents. A conviction in this case could jeopardize her prospects of mounting another presidential campaign in 2027. The charges extend to 26 individuals associated with the RN, including her father and party founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen.

The accused, who include party officials, employees, former lawmakers, and parliamentary assistants, are alleged to have misappropriated EU funds intended to cover costs associated with European Parliament roles. Instead, prosecutors claim, these funds were diverted to pay staff who were, in reality, working solely for the RN.

According to the prosecution, the RN falsely reported that the funds were used to cover the salaries of parliamentary assistants for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) between 2004 and 2016. However, many of these employees, the prosecution argues, performed unrelated party work, with some being unable to even describe their daily responsibilities or having never met the MEPs they were supposedly working for. Allegations also include the hiring of individuals such as a bodyguard, secretary, Le Pen’s chief of staff, and a graphic designer under misleading circumstances.

Le Pen has consistently rejected these accusations, labeling them as politically motivated. The case, which first surfaced in 2015, involves a disputed amount of nearly $7.8 million. Although Le Pen reimbursed 330,000 euros ($368,400) to the European Parliament last year, her party maintained that this repayment did not signify an admission of guilt.

If convicted, Le Pen and her co-defendants could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million euros ($1.1 million) each. Additional penalties, such as the loss of civil rights or disqualification from public office, could also be applied, potentially blocking Le Pen from participating in the 2027 presidential race.