Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), is facing a pivotal moment in her political career. Starting on Monday, she and a group of fellow RN leaders will stand trial in Paris, accused of embezzling money from the European Parliament through a system of alleged fake jobs. This trial carries significant weight, potentially overshadowing the RN’s recent success in the parliamentary elections, where they won a record 126 seats, giving them enough power to influence the fragile minority government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
The accusations stem from a scheme uncovered in 2015, which involved using parliamentary funds to pay for assistants who allegedly worked exclusively for the RN outside of the parliament. Prosecutors claim that many of these assistants were unable to describe their daily tasks and some never even met their assigned MEP boss or visited the parliament building. This included a bodyguard, secretary, Le Pen’s chief of staff, and a graphic designer, all allegedly hired under false pretenses.
The charges of misusing public funds could result in severe consequences, including a hefty fine, a decade-long prison sentence, and a 10-year ban from holding public office. Such a verdict could be devastating for Le Pen, who is aiming to run for the presidency of France for the fourth time in 2027.
The RN has consistently dismissed the investigation as a form of political persecution, a strategy that has worked in their favor in the past. Political scientist Nonna Mayer of Sciences Po University observes that the RN often portrays itself as the victim when facing attacks, which strengthens their standing among certain segments of the population.
Despite the trial, Le Pen finds herself in a position of strength. The RN has capitalized on President Emmanuel Macron’s declining popularity, positioning themselves as a credible alternative in the political landscape. Their recent electoral successes have sent a shockwave through the French political system, forcing Macron to call snap elections. This gamble led to a precarious minority coalition government under Barnier, who could be ousted at any moment if the RN and the left-wing NFP alliance join forces in a vote of no confidence, potentially elevating Le Pen to a kingmaker role.
The RN has garnered increasingly committed voter support, and polls show the former protest party’s influence growing. One RN lawmaker expressed confidence in Le Pen’s ability to navigate the trial, stating that “when I don’t see Marine worried, I’m not worried.” Political scientist Sylvain Crepon of the University of Tours points out that scandals within other parties often benefit the RN, while scandals within the RN don’t necessarily benefit other parties.
Le Pen has maintained her innocence, stating that “we are guilty of nothing.” However, the European Parliament, which is a co-plaintiff in the case, alleges that the RN’s dislike of Europe is the driving force behind the alleged embezzlement, claiming that the party’s sole interest in the European Union is its funding. Prosecutors highlight the fact that the alleged fake jobs system gained momentum in 2014 when the FN’s presence in Brussels expanded significantly. The evidence against the party includes contracts for periods as short as a single day, suggesting an attempt to maximize their spending allowances. The European Parliament claims that three million euros were embezzled from the legislature, and while the RN has repaid one million euros, they insist this does not constitute an admission of guilt.
The trial, which is expected to last until November 27, will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of the RN and the French political landscape.
