The Empire Bites Back

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Far-right National Rally (RN) party leader Marine Le Pen and party members party appeared before a court Monday in a case involving the misuse of millions of dollars of European Union funds, one that could derail her bid for the presidency in two years, the Wall Street Journal reported.

French prosecutors accused Le Pen and the party of misappropriating around $7.8 million in funds earmarked for European Parliament assistants between 2004 and 2017. Instead, Le Pen used the money to pay party staffers and officials across France.

The case stems from probes launched by the European Anti-Fraud Office in 2014 and 2015, focusing on the alleged misappropriation of funds by Le Pen for the use of employing her father’s bodyguard and her former sister-in-law as parliamentary assistants, with questionable working hours and roles.

If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of more than $1 million and a decade-long ban from holding public office.

Le Pen has denied the charges, but the trial – expected to last two months – could tarnish her image and derail her candidacy in the 2027 presidential election.

She said the allegations are part of an effort to discredit the RN after the far-right movement won 142 out of 577 seats in the National Assembly, coming in third behind a left-wing coalition and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist allies.

While far from a majority, observers said that the outcome puts the RN in a kingmaker position that could influence the newly-formed government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, according to the Associated Press.

The Barnier administration – dominated by conservatives and centrists – has pledged to reduce illegal immigration, including imposing stricter border controls and restricting state medical assistance for undocumented migrants.

Meanwhile, analysts and officials told Politico that July’s election outcome and the new government have put Macron in a difficult position.

The French president has less influence on policy now while key decisions advance through Barnier’s more independent conservative government.