France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen is on trial for embezzling EU funds

When the trial opened last month, she promised to present “substantial arguments” showing that she and other party officials “did not violate any political and regulatory rules of the European Parliament.”

If found guilty, Le Pen and her co-defendants face up to ten years in prison and fines of up to one million euros each. Additional penalties could also be imposed, such as the loss of civil rights or the ban from running for office – a scenario that could hamper Le Pen’s goal of running for the presidency again after President Emmanuel Macron’s term ends could even destroy. Le Pen came second to Macron in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.

Two other Rassemblement Nationale officials, including the party’s historic leader, Le Pen’s father Jean-Marie, faced similar allegations but were exempt from prosecution for health reasons.

The trial is scheduled to last until November 27th.