News EditorMarine Le Pen Faces Court in EU Embezzlement Trial
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen appeared in a Paris court on Monday to face charges related to the alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds. Le Pen and her National Rally (RN) party are accused of misusing EU money to pay staff in France between 2004 and 2016, charges she strongly denies.
The nine-week trial marks a critical moment for Le Pen, who is expected to run in France’s 2027 presidential election. A conviction could severely impact her political future, with potential penalties including a prison sentence of up to 10 years, fines of up to €1 million, and ineligibility to hold office.
Le Pen, 56, took the stand on the first of three days of testimony, defending her actions and asserting that she had done nothing wrong. She argued that a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is responsible for promoting their party’s politics in their home country as well as in Brussels. “I absolutely don’t feel I have committed the slightest irregularity, the slightest illegal move,” Le Pen told the court.
The allegations center on the claim that European Parliament funds were used to pay party staff who were working for RN in France rather than fulfilling their parliamentary duties. Prosecutors allege that several employees, including a bodyguard, secretary, graphic designer, and Le Pen’s chief of staff, were hired under false pretenses.
The European Parliament estimates the cost of the alleged embezzlement at €3.5 million ($3.8 million). The suspected “fake jobs” were first flagged in 2015 and involved parliamentary assistant contracts spanning 12 years. Some of the accused reportedly could not describe their day-to-day work or had never met their assigned MEPs.
Le Pen and her co-defendants maintain that the funds were used legitimately, with Le Pen explaining that parliamentary aides can work for MEPs to benefit the party. However, the presiding judge expressed dissatisfaction with Le Pen’s responses during the hearing.
If found guilty, Le Pen and the other accused could face significant legal and political consequences. The trial, which includes 24 other individuals linked to RN, is set to continue until November 27.
