Marine Le Pen on Trial for EU Fund Misuse

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, is on trial in Paris alongside 26 others for allegedly embezzling millions of euros in European Union funds. The trial, which begins on September 30, 2024, could have significant implications for Le Pen's political future, potentially jeopardizing her prospects for a fourth presidential run in 2027. The charges, stemming from between 2004 and 2016, involve the misuse of public funds intended for EU parliamentary activities to pay party staff, a practice the RN has denied. If convicted, Le Pen and her co-defendants face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines, as well as disqualification from holding public office. This trial follows nearly a decade of investigations and risks drawing attention to the RN's ongoing legal challenges, despite its recent electoral successes. The outcome may impact the party's efforts to position itself as a legitimate governing force in France.