Key facts
- France's far-right National Rally is facing multiple investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds.
- President Jordan Bardella is under investigation for alleged misuse of funds by the Identity and Democracy group and his own European Parliament group.
- Marine Le Pen's appeal in a separate embezzlement case is also pending.
- The party leadership claims prosecutors are politically motivated.
- Polls suggest the investigations may not significantly impact the National Rally's core support, but could slow electorate expansion.
France's far-right National Rally is facing a series of legal challenges that threaten to overshadow its focus on the 2027 presidential election. Police raids on Tuesday are linked to a European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into the alleged misuse of taxpayer funds by the now-defunct Identity and Democracy group, where party president Jordan Bardella served as vice-president. POLITICO previously reported that the group may have breached spending rules by at least €4.3 million.
Bardella also faces scrutiny over alleged misuse of €276,967 in EU funds by his European Parliament group, The Patriots. Additionally, French authorities are expected to open an inquiry into alleged fake documents submitted by Bardella in 2015. These investigations come as Marine Le Pen awaits a verdict in her appeal for a long-running embezzlement case.
Despite the legal troubles, recent polls suggest the National Rally's core support remains largely unaffected, with voters often viewing such scandals as common across political parties. Pollster Mathieu Gallard noted that voters prioritize the party's stances on immigration, identity, and security. However, these probes could become a long-term issue, raising questions about the party's professionalism and potentially deterring traditional conservative voters who value probity.
Both Bardella and Le Pen have accused European prosecutors of political motivation. Bardella stated online, "We have nothing to be ashamed of, and we will show it," while Le Pen questioned the timing of the raids just before her verdict. The party's strategy has been to attack prosecutors rather than address the substance of the allegations. Meanwhile, opponents have been hesitant to capitalize on the inquiries, as many face their own legal scrutiny.