Key facts
- Raids are underway in France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
- The investigation is led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
- The probe targets alleged misuse of EU funds by the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group.
- The ID group was active in the European Parliament from 2019 to 2024.
- The EPPO previously launched formal investigations after reports of suspected improper spending totaling €4.3 million.
Prosecutors have initiated Europe-wide raids across France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of European Parliament funds by the defunct far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) confirmed the searches were part of an ongoing probe into the group's use of EU funds between 2019 and 2024.
The ID group, which included members from parties such as France's National Rally, Italy's League, and Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD), was formally disbanded following the 2024 European elections and succeeded by the Patriots for Europe grouping. Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally and head of the new group, stated that the searches had been ongoing since the morning and targeted communications service providers who had worked with them.
The EPPO had previously launched formal investigations in July of the previous year, following media reports citing a parliamentary inquiry that suggested the ID group had improperly spent approximately €4.3 million during its tenure. Bardella had at the time characterized the probe as a new harassment operation by the European Parliament.