French far-right chief Le Pen in high-stakes embezzlement trial
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The political stakes are significant for Marine Le Pen as the French far-right leader and several party officials face trial on Monday over allegations of embezzling EU funds.
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French far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen reacts during the speech of French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the National Assembly, on January 30, 2024, in Paris. (AP)
Marine Le Pen, the far-right presidential candidate in France, and several leaders from her National Rally (RN) party face trial starting Monday over allegations of embezzling funds from the European Parliament through fictitious jobs. These hearings could overshadow Le Pen's strong performance in July's snap parliamentary election, where the RN won 126 seats, sufficient to influence Prime Minister Michel Barnier's fragile minority government.
The trial includes the RN, nine former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), including Le Pen and Vice-President Louis Aliot, spokesperson Julien Odoul, and four other staff members. Prosecutors cite a scheme dating back to 2015 involving contracts for parliamentary assistants from 2004 to 2016, claiming these assistants mainly worked for the party rather than in parliamentary roles.
Many assistants reportedly struggled to explain their daily tasks, with some never meeting their assigned MEP supervisors or visiting the parliament. Allegations include hiring individuals under pretenses, such as a bodyguard and a graphic designer.
One email exchange from 2015 shows Odoul asking Le Pen if he could visit Strasbourg to meet his supposed supervisor, to which she responded affirmatively.
The charges of misuse of public funds carry severe penalties, including fines up to one million euros ($1.1 million), ten years in prison, and a decade-long ban from public office—threatening Le Pen's fourth presidential bid in 2027. The RN has long characterized the investigation as "persecution" with political scientist Nonna Mayer noting that such attacks enable the party to position itself as a victim.
Riding high
This high-profile case presents a significant challenge for Marine Le Pen, marking a shift from her previously untroubled path. The National Rally (RN) has effectively capitalized on President Emmanuel Macron's unpopularity, framing the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections as a clear choice between him and the far-right party.
The RN's surprising first-place finish in the June European elections led Macron to call for snap elections—a risky decision, which resulted in a precarious minority coalition for conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier. This coalition is susceptible to collapse; Barnier could be ousted at any moment if the left-wing NFP alliance and the RN join forces in a confidence vote, potentially positioning Le Pen as a pivotal kingmaker.
'Lack of understanding'
Le Pen stated in mid-September to Le Parisien, "We are guilty of nothing." Her lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, declined to comment ahead of the trial, which is set to continue until November 27.
Patrick Maisonneuve, representing the European Parliament as a co-plaintiff, remarked that the RN and its predecessor, the National Front (FN), "don’t like Europe; the only thing they like is the European Union’s money."
Prosecutors allege that Le Pen and her father, former party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, approved a "centralized system" that gained momentum in 2014 when the FN's representation in Brussels increased. Jean-Marie Le Pen, now 96, will not attend court due to health issues.
Several witnesses have testified about a 2014 meeting that reportedly discussed a clear structure for "fake jobs". Evidence against the party includes contracts lasting as little as a single day, designed to maximize their spending allowances.
One message from party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just highlighted the party's dire financial situation, stating, "We won't get out of this without making significant savings thanks to the European Parliament."
European Parliament authorities estimate that the legislature was embezzled to the tune of three million euros ($3.4 million at current rates). The RN has already repaid one million euros, which it insists is not an admission of guilt.
