Marine Le Pen, the enduring figure at the helm of France’s far-right National Rally and a candidate for the presidency is set to face trial in Paris on Monday. She stands accused of misappropriating funds allocated by the European Parliament.
In addition to the primary individual, over 20 other senior party members are confronting similar allegations. Accusations have emerged regarding the hiring practices of certain individuals who allegedly employed assistants to focus on party-related activities instead of fulfilling their responsibilities to the European Parliament, which was the source of their compensation.
If Le Pen is convicted, she may face fines and imprisonment, as well as the possibility of being deemed ineligible to pursue public office for as long as a decade, jeopardizing her presidential aspirations.
She has refuted any allegations of misconduct, with party spokesman Laurent Jacobelli asserting, “We will demonstrate that there is no system in place to misappropriate funds from the EU.”
A spokesperson announced to French media on Monday, “We are set to demonstrate that one can serve as an assistant to a European parliamentarian while actively engaging in the activities of the National Rally (RN).”
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 96-year-old founder of the National Front, now known as the RN, is also facing charges. However, due to health issues, he will not be present at the trial.
The purported scheme involving fake jobs was initially brought to attention in 2015. It encompassed contracts for parliamentary assistants from 2004 to 2016.
Le Pen is set to stand trial, marking a significant moment for the long-time party leader and former EU lawmaker.
Prosecutors claim that an individual employed as a parliamentary assistant was, in fact, serving as a bodyguard for Le Pen and her father.
Prosecutors aim to reclaim over 3 million euros, equivalent to £2.5 million. The RN has reimbursed 1 million euros (£834,000), asserting that this action does not constitute an admission of guilt.
The trial is anticipated to continue for almost two months.
In 2017, Le Pen resigned from her position as president of the National Front. She has participated in presidential elections in 2012, 2017, and 2022 and is preparing for a potential candidacy in 2027.
The political party in question has advocated for measures aimed at limiting immigration, including restricting social welfare benefits to French citizens. Additionally, it has emphasized a focus on law and order alongside proposals for tax reductions.
In June, she secured re-election to parliament in the initial round of France’s parliamentary election.
In a surprising turn of events, her party secured a third-place finish, a stark contrast to the decisive victory it had celebrated in the European Parliament elections merely weeks earlier.
The left secured the highest number of legislative seats in the recent elections.
In the aftermath of the elections, President Emmanuel Macron has formed a government aligned with right-wing ideologies.
