Have France’s right-wing nationalists embezzled EU funds? A total of 28 defendants from the ranks of the Rassemblement National (formerly Front National) – including long-standing party leader Marine Le Pen and her father and party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen – are now due to appear in court.
The accusations cover the years 2004 to 2016 and are aimed at the party, then MPs and aides. This concerns the possible fictitious employment of assistants of various French MEPs. The central accusation is that Le Pen’s party received money from the European Parliament for parliamentary assistants who actually worked for the party.
The total would be around seven million euros. A year ago, Marine Le Pen had already transferred 330,000 euros that the European Parliament had reclaimed. However, your party always emphasizes that this is not an admission of wrongdoing.
Le Pen’s presidential candidacy is at stake
The affair has been bothering Le Pen and her party for years. If found guilty, the defendants face heavy fines and prison sentences of up to ten years. If convicted, the defendants could also be declared ineligible for five years, which could thwart Marine Le Pen’s candidacy in the 2027 presidential elections.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
