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Marine Le Pen and National Rally Party Face Trial Over Allegations of EU Fund Misappropriation
Marine Le Pen, the prominent figure in France's far-right political landscape, along with several leaders from her National Rally (RN) party, is set to stand trial in Paris over serious allegations of misappropriating European Union funds. The trial, which commenced on Monday, involves accusations that the RN engaged in a fraudulent scheme to employ parliamentary assistants who were primarily tasked with party duties rather than their official responsibilities within the European Parliament.
The allegations, first raised in 2015, concern a system of fictitious job contracts that spanned from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors assert that the RN utilized these contracts to fund positions that did not serve the intended EU functions. Among those implicated are nine former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), including Le Pen herself and party vice-president Louis Aliot, as well as several former parliamentary assistants and RN staff. Notably, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party's founder and Marine's father, is also facing charges but will not attend the trial due to health issues.
The prosecution claims that many of these assistants struggled to articulate their daily tasks and some had never even met their designated MEP supervisors or entered the parliamentary premises. In one instance, a former assistant reached out to Le Pen seeking to observe parliamentary sessions, only to receive a positive response from her.
If found guilty of misusing public funds, Le Pen and her co-defendants could face severe penalties, including fines up to €1 million and potential prison sentences of up to ten years. Additionally, a conviction could result in a ten-year ban from holding public office, jeopardizing Le Pen's aspirations for a fourth presidential run in 2027.
The RN has consistently maintained that the investigation is politically motivated, characterizing it as a form of "persecution" by the justice system. Political analyst Nonna Mayer noted that such accusations often allow the party to portray itself as a victim in the political arena. This trial comes at a critical juncture for Le Pen and her party, following a strong performance in July's snap parliamentary elections where they secured 126 seats.
As the trial unfolds over the next two months, it is expected to draw significant attention from both political opponents and supporters alike. The outcome could have profound implications for Le Pen’s political future and the broader dynamics within French politics as she prepares for what could be a pivotal election campaign.