Far-right leader Le Pen on trial for corruption in France: Allegations of 'embezzling EU funds'

The trial of Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure of the French far-right, and 26 members of her National Rally (RN) party, accused of embezzling European Union (EU) funds, has begun in Paris.

According to reports in the national press, 27 party members, including the prominent figure of the far-right party formerly known as the National Front (FN) and former presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, and figures such as Louis Aliot and Bruno Gollnisch, are accused of misusing EU funds in the case being heard at the Paris Criminal Court.

Speaking to reporters before the hearing, Marine Le Pen stated that she 'trusts the justice system' and added, 'I am here to present our arguments.'

Le Pen defended herself and the party members against the accusations, claiming that they 'did not violate any rules.'

RN spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli also stated in his assessment to the press that they 'will prove that there was no system for embezzling EU funds.'

The trial, in which the far-right politicians are accused of using European Parliament (EP) funds to finance the party between 2004 and 2016, is expected to last until the end of November.

If found guilty, the far-right politicians could face a ban from running for office for 5 years, as well as a fine of 1 million euros and up to 10 years in prison. The course of the trial could affect the candidacy process of Le Pen, who previously announced that she would run in the 2027 presidential elections.

Le Pen was a candidate in the 2012, 2017, and 2022 presidential elections and had announced her candidacy for the 2027 elections as well.

WHY IS LE PEN BEING ACCUSED?

It is alleged that during her time as an MEP, Le Pen paid salaries to two people with EP funds for fictitious consulting services.

In 2015, an investigation was launched in France into some MEPs elected from the party formerly known as the FN, including Marine Le Pen, on allegations of creating 'fictitious employment' at the EP between 2004 and 2016.

The Paris prosecutor's office had requested that a case be opened against some of the party's EP members, including Le Pen and her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, on the grounds that they misused EU funds and 'concealed the crime.'

The National Front (FN) party changed its name to the National Rally (RN) party in 2018.