Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Alleged Misuse of EU Funds

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally, stands trial accused of misappropriating EU funds. Alongside her party and 24 others, she's charged with misusing funds intended for European Parliament work to pay party staff. A guilty verdict could bar her from public office for years, while an acquittal might bolster her image before the 2027 presidential election.

Marine Le Pen, the leading figure of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, went on trial on Monday over allegations of misappropriating EU funds. Le Pen, alongside 24 others, including party officials and former lawmakers, stands accused of diverting money meant for the European Parliament to pay party staff.

Le Pen and co-defendants insist that their use of funds was legitimate, claiming that the charges reflect a narrow view of parliamentary assistants' roles. Le Pen, who lost the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections to Emmanuel Macron, expressed confidence as she arrived at the Paris tribunal.

A guilty verdict could severely impact Le Pen's political future, barring her from holding public office. Conversely, a not-guilty outcome might enhance her standing ahead of the 2027 presidential race. The European Parliament claims a financial loss of 3.5 million euros due to this alleged misappropriation.

(With inputs from agencies.)