Right-wing French populist figure Le Pen stands accused of mismanaging European Union finances in a legal proceeding.
Right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen is scheduled to appear in court beginning Monday at 1:30 PM, alongside 24 other individuals linked to her political circle. They're all facing allegations of misusing EU funds. The trial in Paris focuses on the alleged use of "ghost employees" within the European Parliament. If found guilty, Marine Le Pen, as head of the Rassemblement National (RN) group, could be sentenced to up to a decade in prison and barred from contesting elections, which could impact her prospects for the 2027 presidential race.
Le Pen maintains her innocence and intends to participate in the trial herself. Her elder father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, aged 96, has been deemed unfit to participate. Marine Le Pen alleges that the prosecution is pursuing the case due to political motives. The European Parliament, acting as a civil party, estimates the potential financial loss at €3 million. The party has returned €1 million to evade potential funding reductions.
Despite the potential impacts on her political career, the prohibition of elections for Marine Le Pen could potentially arise if she's found guilty. The allegations of misusing EU funds and the prohibition of elections are at the heart of the legal proceedings against Marine Le Pen and her associates.
