Marine Le Pen to stand trial on charges of embezzling EU funds

Marine Le Pen gestures while delivering a speech during the National Rally's summer meeting. Photo: PASCAL GUOT

Hard — Right-wing leader Marine Le Pen and 23 other members of her party could face trial on charges of misuse of EU funds, Paris prosecutors said.

Prosecutors launched an investigation in December 2016 , stating that it is aimed at clarifying the circumstances. whether the then National Front used money earmarked for aides to EU parliamentarians to pay staff working for the party.

EU legislators are given funds to cover expenses, including for their aides, but they are not earmarked for their use. for party expenses.

Le Pen's party, now known as National Rally, denies any wrongdoing.

“We dispute this position, which appears to represent misunderstanding of the work of the opposition. legislators and their aides, which is primarily political,” the party said in a statement to Reuters.

Le Pen faces 10 years in prison, a fine of one million euros and, as an elected official, imprisonment the right to hold public office for 10 years, the prosecutor's office said.

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