Today's events could result in just an image or, once the process is over, could lead to another political earthquake in France: Marine Le Pen is facing trial today, along with 24 other members of her party for a case of misappropriation of funds from the European Parliament to her party. The trial, held in Paris, will last until November and depending on the final verdict, could lead to her political disqualification, jeopardizing her participation in the 2027 presidential elections.
Marine Le Pen, who has always denied the accusations, has been waiting for this electoral moment for years. She is now closer than ever to the Élysée: French politics are fractured, following the early legislative elections last July, which her party won in the first round. The Macronist movement is on the decline, and she holds the key to the longevity of the newly formed government of Michel Barnier: if she supports the motion of censure that the left is going to present with her vote, it would fall.
The far-right leader has been trying to normalize her discourse for years, as well as that of her party, so a conviction could be a severe blow. The so-called "fake jobs case" is judging a total of 27 members of the party, and also the party itself, for diverting part of the funds from Brussels, intended to pay parliamentary assistants, to finance party matters in France.
This occurred between 2009 and 2017, a period in which National Rally had a strong presence in Europe and Le Pen was working to normalize her discourse. The far-right leader is accused of embezzlement of public funds and complicity. All the defendants are accused of consciously and concertedly activating a money diversion network, where part of the funds, initially intended to cover the assistants' activities, was used for party matters.
Among the defendants are the main leaders of the party, including Marine Le Pen's father and founder of the party (formerly National Front), 96-year-old Jean-Marie Le Pen. He will not be present at the trial due to health reasons, as the "profound deterioration of his physical and psychological capacities" does not allow him to be present. Also involved is Louis Aliot, former mayor of Perpignan, and one of the party's heavyweights.
Jordan Bardella, the current party president and one of its most prominent figures, has been excluded from the process. Bardella won the European elections last July and, before becoming a Member of the European Parliament, was a parliamentary assistant in 2015. The case was uncovered that same year, after the then President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, requested a report. The case involves the salaries of parliamentary assistants between 2004-2016. The Parliament then mentioned nearly seven million euros.
Even in the event of a conviction, which could lead to a disqualification of up to 10 years, Marine Le Pen could file appeals and navigate the deadlines, in order to still be able to run in the 2027 presidential elections, where she will no longer face Emmanuel Macron, who defeated her twice in the elections.