National gathering and embezzlement of European public funds: a case heading towards trial
Paris prosecutors recently requested a trial for the National Rally (RN) as well as 27 people associated with the party, including Marine Le Pen and her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. They are all suspected of having participated in a system of embezzlement of European public funds between 2004 and 2016.
This case, which began in 2015 when the European Parliament reported irregularities concerning the salaries of parliamentary assistants of the National Front (now RN), has since been entrusted to Parisian financial investigating judges.
According to investigators, the RN would have set up a “system of embezzlement” of funds allocated by the EU to each MEP to pay parliamentary assistants. These assistants would in reality have worked mainly, if not entirely, for the party, thus allowing the RN to save considerably on salaries.
The total damage estimated by the European Parliament for the years 2009 to 2017 amounts to 6.8 million euros.
If the trial is indeed carried out, the National Rally and those involved could face sentences of up to ten years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of one million euros, as well as an additional penalty of deprivation of the right to stand for election.
Marine Le Pen has always denied any involvement in this affair and contested the accusations made against her and the party. Pending trial, the National Rally and its members concerned remain presumed innocent.
This affair once again illustrates the questions of financing and transparency surrounding political parties. As the National Rally prepares to face a trial, it remains to be seen how this case will evolve and what the final outcome will be.