The French Rassemblement National (RN) is once again facing serious allegations concerning the use of European funds. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has, as part of an investigation launched in 2025, carried out extensive searches in France and other European countries. At the center of the probe are suspicions of embezzlement of public EU funds, favoritism and breach of trust linked to the former ‘Identity and Democracy’ (ID) group in the European Parliament.
The starting point of the investigation is a report by the Finance Directorate of the European Parliament. It raises the suspicion that between 2019 and 2024 around 4.33 million euros from the then-ID group’s budget may not have been used for their intended purpose. A significant portion of the disputed expenditures is said to have gone to communications companies associated with the RN’s milieu.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed ongoing investigative measures in France and other member states, including Belgium, Italy and Spain. For reasons related to the ongoing proceedings, the authority gave no detailed information on individual suspicions or possible suspects. The EPPO is responsible for crimes that harm the financial interests of the European Union.
RN party leader Jordan Bardella reacted immediately to the searches. He said the investigations were aimed at communications service providers who had worked for his party. The RN has ‘nothing to hide’ and will prove its innocence. At the same time, Bardella questioned the timing of the measures, as they took place only a few days before an important appeals ruling in the case against Marine Le Pen.
The new investigation comes at a politically highly sensitive time. The appeals verdict in the case concerning the so-called parliamentary assistants of the then Front National is expected on 7 July. However, that procedure relates to a different matter and different allegations. The current investigations concern the expenditures of the ‘Identity and Democracy’ group in the European Parliament and thus constitute a separate proceeding.
As things stand, these are investigations only. Neither the RN nor individual officials have been indicted or convicted in this new case so far. The searches are intended to secure documents and evidence and to verify the suspicions. Only after the conclusion of the investigations will the European Public Prosecutor’s Office decide whether to bring charges or to close the case.
The case could nonetheless have significant political repercussions. If the suspicions are confirmed, it would intensify the debate about how political parties handle European funds. For the RN, the affair comes at a time when the party seeks to consolidate its position as one of France’s strongest political forces and prepare for the 2027 presidential election. At the same time, the party stresses that the investigations will not affect its political work and that it will cooperate fully with the authorities.
Author: P. Tiko