French Marine Le Pen will stand trial on charges of embezzlement of EU funds

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen vehemently denied committing any crime in a Paris court on Monday as she and her National Rally Party face trial on suspicion of embezzling European Parliament funds.

The nine-week trial is a critical moment for Le Pen, who is expected to be a strong candidate in the next French presidential election in 2027. A conviction could significantly impact her political career and aspirations.

Le Pen appeared confident and determined in court, stating in a loud voice: “I say very clearly: I absolutely do not feel that I have committed the slightest irregularity, the slightest illegal move.”

Last month, the National Assembly and 25 of its top officials went on trial on charges of using money intended for EU parliament advisers instead of paying staff who worked for the party between 2004 and 2016, in violation of the 27-nation bloc’s rules. The National Union was then called the National Front.

Le Pen has until Wednesday to answer questions from judges about the use of EU money to pay her bodyguard, chief of staff and two other party advisers.

Almost using the court as a political forum, Le Pen argued that the missions of advisers paid by the European Parliament should be aligned with the various activities of MEPs, including some missions of a highly political nature associated with the party.

She detailed her vision for the role of MEPs, stating that it goes far beyond working on developing and voting on EU laws. She mentioned numerous examples: promoting her views at the national level, meeting voters, setting strategies with other party activists, appearing in the media and participating in the most important events.

“The advisor works for his MEP and (therefore) can work for his MEP to the benefit of the party,” she insisted.

Le Pen also referred to the situation of the lower house of the French parliament. “The National Assembly is very clear: it considers political activity to be fully within the mandate of the legislature.”

“I think it is a mistake of the European Parliament not to see it this way,” she said.

If found guilty, Le Pen and her co-defendants face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million euros ($1.1 million) each. Additional penalties may also be imposed, such as the loss of civil rights or a ban on running for office, which could hinder or even destroy Le Pen’s goal of filing another presidential bid after the term of office of President Emmanuel Macron expires. Le Pen was Macron’s runner-up in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.

Two other National Rally officials, including the party’s historic leader, Le Pen’s father Jean-Marie, faced similar charges but were cleared due to their health.

The trial is scheduled to last until November 27.

Corbet writes for the Associated Press.