French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her RN party are standing trial over the suspected embezzlement of European Parliament funds, denying any wrongdoing.
Marine Le Pen, a key figure in French politics and a potential presidential candidate in 2027, faces a pivotal moment as she faces trial for allegedly using EU funds to pay staff in France from 2004 to 2016. The trial could have significant implications for her political future.
Le Pen and 24 others, including party officials and former lawmakers, are accused of creating “fake jobs” to funnel money. Prosecutors claim that some staff members never even worked for the European Parliament and were hired under false pretences.
If found guilty, Le Pen and her co-defendants could face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines. A guilty verdict would not only damage their political careers but could also impact their eligibility to run for office, hindering Le Pen’s ambition to become the next French president.
The trial, set to last nine weeks, could shape the future of French politics and determine the fate of one of its most controversial figures.