Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over EU Funds Misappropriation

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally, is set to stand trial in Paris along with 26 others for alleged misuse of EU funds. The trial reflects accusations that the party diverted money meant for EU parliamentary work to fund party activities. Le Pen and others face significant penalties if convicted.

Marine Le Pen, the longtime leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, faces trial in a Paris criminal court on Monday, alongside 26 others, over allegations of misappropriating European Union funds.

This trial follows nearly a decade of investigations and could offer Le Pen a chance to clear her name while attempting to present the RN as a legitimate governing party. However, it also risks highlighting the party's recurrent legal issues.

The charges claim that officials and employees used EU parliamentary funds to pay RN staff, instead of using them for parliamentary work. If convicted, Le Pen and her co-defendants could face up to 10 years in jail, hefty fines, and disqualification from public office.

(With inputs from agencies.)