Marine Le Pen Defends Herself in Embezzlement Trial
Marine Le Pen, the prominent leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), took to the stand in a Paris criminal court on Wednesday, vehemently denying any allegations of wrongdoing. This trial revolves around the suspected embezzlement of European Parliament funds, and it marks the third and final day of Le Pen’s testimony in this highly publicized case.
Le Pen, along with over 20 senior members of her party, is facing serious charges related to the alleged misappropriation of millions of euros that were earmarked for the salaries of EU parliamentary assistants. The prosecution contends that Le Pen and her co-defendants improperly diverted EU funds to compensate staff who primarily worked for the party in France, instead of fulfilling the intended role of assisting in parliamentary duties in Brussels, particularly between the years 2004 and 2016.
Throughout her three days of testimony, Le Pen exhibited a defiant and combative demeanor, even going as far as to accuse the presiding judge of partiality. During her defense, she maintained her innocence, arguing that the European Parliament should not dictate how Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) can employ their assistants.
Le Pen elaborated extensively on her perspective regarding the responsibilities of MEPs, asserting that their roles encompass much more than merely crafting and voting on EU regulations. She articulated that MEPs are also tasked with promoting their viewpoints at the national level, engaging with constituents, devising strategies alongside fellow party officials, interacting with the media, and participating in significant events.
“The aide works for their MEP and, consequently, can work for their MEP to advance the interests of the party,” she stated emphatically.
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If found guilty, Le Pen and her co-defendants could face severe penalties, including prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines reaching €1 million each. A conviction could critically impact her political future, particularly jeopardizing her eligibility to run for office in the 2027 elections, which many consider her fourth and potentially most formidable campaign.
It’s worth noting that similar allegations have been directed against two other notable figures within the National Rally, including the party’s founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen. However, both have been excused from prosecution due to health-related issues. The ongoing trial is expected to continue until the end of November.