Key facts
- The European Parliament is investigating alleged improper spending by Jordan Bardella's National Rally party.
- Raids were conducted on contractors linked to the party's former and current European Parliament groups.
- The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the use of European funds by a former political group.
- The National Rally denies any wrongdoing and claims the investigation is politically motivated.
- The investigation focuses on alleged irregular donations and breaches in public procurement procedures.
The European Parliament is investigating alleged improper spending by the far-right National Rally party, with raids conducted on contractors linked to its former and current European Parliament groups. The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), focuses on potential misuse of European funds by the Identity and Democracy group, of which the National Rally was a member until 2024, and Bardella's subsequent group, the Patriots of Europe.
Authorities are examining nearly €280,000 allegedly misspent by the Patriots group in the latter half of 2024, with expectations of a further repayment order of over €545,000 for similar breaches. The probe also scrutinizes donations made to organizations seemingly unrelated to political activities, such as a futsal club and a quad-bike organization, and alleged irregularities in public procurement procedures, including potential favoritism towards specific companies. These companies have shown indications of interconnections with individuals close to the National Rally.
National Rally leaders, including Jordan Bardella and MEP Aleksandar Nikolic, have denounced the raids and allegations as a politically motivated vendetta by French judges and EU institutions, asserting their innocence and promising to prove it. They argue that other parliamentary groups are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny, suggesting a double standard. The party's secretary general, Philip Claeys, stated that the group has been refining its working methods and suspended some contracts as a precaution.
The case began with a final audit of the Identity and Democracy group's finances after its dissolution, revealing millions in irregular expenditures. The investigation also touches upon past ties between the National Rally and communication firms linked to Frédéric Chatillon, a figure from extremist circles and a longtime associate of Marine Le Pen, who had pledged to cut ties with him. The European Court of Auditors has also noted that the European Parliament has not fully implemented recommendations to strengthen oversight of political group spending.