European Public Prosecutor's Office searches premises linked to the former ID group – Rassemblement national affected

Paris – 30.06.2026: The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has confirmed that searches are under way in France and other EU member states on suspicion of misappropriation of EU funds. At the center is the former parliamentary group Identity and Democracy (ID) in the European Parliament, which in the past legislature included, among others, members of the Rassemblement national (RN). The aim of the measures is to secure documents and digital data that may shed light on the use of parliamentary allowances.

According to consistent reports, the investigations concern events from 2019 to 2024. Allegations involve irregularities in the billing of external services, including communications and training offerings. Internal audits by the Parliament had already detected anomalies and questioned payments. On this basis, the EPPO is examining the initial suspicion of offences such as fraud or misappropriation to the detriment of the EU budget.

The measures are part of a longer series of legal disputes linked to the RN, without automatically connecting them. In a separate national procedure regarding sham assistant contracts, sanctions were imposed in 2025 against individual participants; appeals are pending. The current EPPO investigations expressly target possible EU funds that were associated with the former ID group structure and are institutionally independent.

Parliamentary circles had previously mentioned a sum in the millions that was deemed improperly used after audits. The EPPO has not yet confirmed specific amounts or named suspects. The interventions are carried out under judicial orders in several countries simultaneously to secure evidence and clarify possible links between contractors, group structures and financial flows. The EPPO is competent when the EU budget may have been harmed and cross-border connections are involved.

Representatives of the Rassemblement national have previously rejected such allegations, stating that services were provided in accordance with the rules. Sources close to the affected structures say they will cooperate with the authorities and defend their rights. The European Parliament generally points to strict funding rules, documentation obligations and potential recoveries in cases of detected violations.

Politically, the case is sensitive because it comes at a time when the European groups are being reorganized personnel- and finance-wise after the electoral term. For France, beyond the legal clarification, trust in the correct use of European funds is also at stake. Until the investigations are concluded, the presumption of innocence applies.