Marine Le Pen, the French far-right presidential candidate, along with several key figures from the National Rally (RN), is set to go on trial over accusations of embezzling European Parliament funds through fake jobs. This trial, commencing on Monday, poses a significant challenge to Le Pen’s political career, particularly after her party’s strong showing in the recent snap parliamentary elections, where the RN secured 126 seats.
The allegations, first raised in 2015, involve claims that RN employed parliamentary assistants who worked for the party rather than for the parliament. This purported scheme spanned from 2004 to 2016, involving various roles including a bodyguard, a secretary, and Le Pen’s chief of staff, all allegedly hired under false titles.
If convicted, the penalties could be severe, including a €1 million fine, up to ten years in jail, and a decade-long ban from public office, potentially derailing Le Pen’s aspirations for the 2027 presidential race. The trial, set to last until November 27, includes nine former MEPs and several RN staff.
This case arrives at a tumultuous time for Le Pen, who has been a central figure in framing national elections as a choice between her and the incumbent establishment, represented by President Emmanuel Macron. The trial not only tests her leadership but also the solidarity of her party, which has historically dismissed the investigation as political persecution.
Despite these challenges, RN’s popularity remains robust, influenced by the party’s growing voter base and strategic positioning in the French political spectrum. The outcome of this trial could either consolidate Le Pen’s role as a victim of alleged political targeting or significantly hamper her party’s influence on national politics.
