Written by Lisa Murimi
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, is set to go on trial in Paris, accused of misusing European parliamentary funds.Â
Along with over 20 senior party members, Le Pen faces allegations of hiring assistants for party work rather than for European parliamentary duties, which funded their salaries.
If convicted, Le Pen could face hefty fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, potentially derailing her 2027 presidential ambitions.
Le Pen has denied any wrongdoing, and party spokesman Laurent Jacobelli defended the legality of employing parliamentary assistants involved in party activities.
The allegations, dating back to 2015, claim that one of the assistants was, in fact, a bodyguard for Le Pen and her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party’s founder.
Prosecutors aim to recover over €3 million in misused funds, though the party has already returned €1 million, without admitting guilt.
Le Pen remains calm, insisting no political rules were broken.
The trial, expected to last two months, will be closely watched as it unfolds, potentially reshaping France’s political landscape ahead of the next presidential race.
