France’s Marine Le Pen pleads innocence at EU embezzlement trial

As she and her National Rally (RN) party go on trial for allegedly stealing funds from the European Parliament, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has vigorously refuted any allegations made at a Paris court.

Le Pen’s nine-week trial is crucial because it is expected to be a strong contender for France’s 2027 presidential election. Her political ambitions and career may be impacted significantly by a guilty verdict.

Le Pen, 56, took to the witness on Monday for the first of three expected testimony days in the case, which comes almost ten years after initial inquiries began.

Le Pen, the RN itself, and 24 others – including party officials, employees, and former lawmakers – have all been accused of using European Parliament money to pay staff in France.

The party leader and her co-defendants have denied the charges, saying the money was used legitimately.

Le Pen argued in court that she thought a member of the European Parliament’s role was just as important to push French politics as it was to work on Brussels-related legislation.

“I’m telling you very clearly: I absolutely don’t feel I have committed the slightest irregularity, the slightest illegal move”, she said.

She gave a detailed explanation of the role that MEPs play, giving examples of such activities as voter gathering and attending major events.

“The aide works for his MEP and]therefore] can work for his MEP for the benefit of the party”, she explained.

The European Parliament should have known this, she said, adding, “I think it’s a mistake.”

Le Pen’s answers were unsatisfactory, according to the judge who presided over the case.

‘ Fake jobs ‘

The alleged crimes cost 3.5 million euros ($3.8 million) according to the European Parliament’s estimates.

The trial’s alleged fake jobs system, which dates from 2004 to 2016, was first identified in 2015 and covers parliamentary assistant contracts.

The assistants allegedly worked for the party outside of parliament as a party. Many people were unable to describe their day-to-day activities, and some even had never met their alleged MEP boss.

A bodyguard, a secretary, Le Pen’s chief of staff and a graphic designer were all allegedly hired under false pretences.

If Le Pen and her co-defendants are found guilty, they could receive fines of up to one million euros ($1.1 million) for each.

Le Pen’s campaign goal of becoming France’s president in the 2027 election could also be affected by a guilty verdict, which could also lead to penalties, including a loss of civil rights or ineligibility to run for office.