Key facts
- Jordan Bardella is fighting a European Parliament decision to stop his chief of staff, François Paradol, from working as a part-time MEP assistant.
- Bardella's lawyer claims the Parliament has 'paranoia' and 'prejudice' against far-right parties.
- The Parliament cited a past embezzlement case involving Marine Le Pen as a reason for the rejection.
- The Parliament argued that Paradol's dual role posed a high risk of fund abuse and made separating duties difficult.
- Bardella's lawyer stated that hybrid working is permitted and that Paradol is competent.
Jordan Bardella's lawyer asserted that the European Parliament exhibits 'paranoia' regarding the far-right, as Bardella contests a decision preventing his chief of staff, François Paradol, from serving as a part-time MEP assistant. The Parliament denied Paradol's reappointment, citing a 2024 case where Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling MEP funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay national party staff.
Bardella's lawyer, David Dassa-Le Deist, argued in the EU's General Court that the rejection stemmed from 'prejudice' against parties like the National Rally. He proposed Paradol work part-time as a parliamentary assistant, dedicating the remainder of his time to national party duties. However, the Parliament's lawyer, Lavinia Darie, contended that Paradol's role with the National Rally would require him to be available 'around the clock,' making it difficult to separate duties and raising a 'high risk of abuse of funds,' referencing the Le Pen case.
Dassa-Le Deist countered that hybrid working arrangements are not prohibited and that Paradol is a 'very competent' individual who has worked with Bardella for a long time. Judge Heikki Kanninen questioned the Parliament's lawyer about whether a similar request from a different party would have been refused. Darie affirmed that the decision would have been made irrespective of the MEP's political group or nationality, emphasizing the duty to ensure 'good management of public funds.' The case could impact MEPs' choices of staff, with Paradol having previously stated the Parliament aimed to 'turn every political aide into a European civil servant.' A ruling is expected within a few months.
Discussion