Key facts
- Marine Le Pen awaits a court ruling on July 7 regarding her eligibility for the 2027 French presidential election.
- Le Pen was convicted for misusing EU funds.
- The European Parliament will probe the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party over alleged violations of EU core values.
- The ESN party includes Germany's AfD.
- Jordan Bardella reported police raids on communications contractors.
- The European Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed an investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group.
- France's National Rally faces multiple investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds.
- Both Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen are facing scrutiny.
Marine Le Pen and France's far-right National Rally party are confronting a series of legal challenges that could significantly affect their prospects in the 2027 French presidential election. Le Pen is awaiting a critical appeal ruling on July 7 that will determine her eligibility to run for president following a conviction for misusing EU funds. This verdict could either clear her path to a presidential bid or potentially necessitate party chief Jordan Bardella stepping in as a candidate.
Adding to the party's legal entanglements, the European Parliament is initiating a procedure against the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, a group that includes Germany's AfD. This probe concerns alleged violations of core EU values, and the ESN party could face consequences including the loss of its registration and funding if found non-compliant.
Further complicating matters, Jordan Bardella, the leader of France's National Rally, stated that authorities conducted raids on communications contractors his team had previously worked with. The European Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that an investigation is underway concerning the use of European funds by a former political group, which appears to be connected to these raids and the broader investigations into the National Rally.
These multiple investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds create a challenging environment for the National Rally as they aim to focus on the upcoming 2027 election. Both President Jordan Bardella and leader Marine Le Pen are under scrutiny, raising concerns about the party's stability and its ability to project a strong presidential candidacy.