The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched a formal investigation into suspected misuse of EU funds by the dissolved parliamentary group Identity and Democracy (ID), which included France’s Rassemblement National, according to Euractiv.
An EPPO spokesperson confirmed to Euractiv on Tuesday that “EPPO has opened an investigation” following reports alleging improper handling of over €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024. The spokesperson declined further comment, citing investigation confidentiality.
The probe follows a draft European Parliament audit, excerpts of which were reported by Le Monde, Die Zeit, and Kontraste in early July.
The audit reportedly identified irregular spending patterns by ID-affiliated parties, including: alleged fictitious service contracts, procurement procedure violations, and donations funding non-parliamentary activities for organisations connected to national-oriented figures, including Marine Le Pen.
Philip Claeys, ID’s former secretary-general, denied wrongdoing:
All payments made in the last five years have been duly invoiced, justified and controlled.
No individuals have been charged at this stage, with all parties presumed innocent.
This investigation compounds existing legal challenges for Le Pen. Earlier this year, a Paris court convicted her of misusing EU funds related to parliamentary assistants, rendering her ineligible for elected office for five years, a ruling she is appealing. Le Pen dismissed the latest allegations as politically motivated.
