After ten years of investigations, the leader of the National Rally (RN) Marine Le Pen will stand trial on charges of “embezzlement of European funds,” according to Euractiv.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a €1 million fine and a ban on holding public office for up to five years. Le Pen and 26 others are to answer at a trial that could worsen her intention to run for French president in 2027. The trial is due to begin on Monday (30 September).
The RN is accused of “deliberately and systematically” creating a scheme between 2004 and 2016 to divert funds allocated by the European Union to pay parliamentary assistants to MEPs. The assistants allegedly worked partly or wholly for RN, allowing the party to make substantial savings on salaries.
The European Parliament, a civil party in the case, estimated its financial losses at 6.8 million euros. A total of 11 former MEPs elected on party lists, 12 of their parliamentary assistants and four other collaborators face trial.
The case erupted in March 2015 when the then president of the European Parliament, German Social Democrat Martin Schulz, informed French authorities of possible embezzlement. However, MEP Julien Sanchez stood up for Le Pen.
Marine Le Pen is guilty of nothing; this is, once again, a diversionary tactic to tarnish the National Rally, as our voters well understand.
The long weeks of hearings are likely to be exhausting, even though 143 MPs and their allies hold the fate of Prime Minister Michel Barnier‘s government in their hands, capable of collapsing it at any moment.
