Marine Le Pen and National Rally on Trial: Potential Game-Changer for French Politics

Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right National Rally party, is on trial with two dozen others accused of misusing European Parliament funds. Facing serious accusations of embezzlement, the trial could derail her political ambitions, especially as she aims for the French presidency in 2027.

Marine Le Pen, the far-right French leader, denied any wrongdoing as she and National Rally party members went on trial for allegedly embezzling European Parliament funds.

Arriving at court in Paris on Monday, Le Pen asserted that no political and regulatory rules were violated and promised strong arguments in her defense during the trial.

This nine-week trial could derail Le Pen's ambitions to succeed Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 presidential elections. As the trial goes on, her party stands accused of misusing EU funds from 2004 to 2016 to finance party activities, accusations that could lead to severe penalties.

(With inputs from agencies.)