Former presidential candidate Marie Le Pen will be joined by 26 other members of the National Rally (RN) party – formerly called the National Front – in the dock in March
All are accused of using EU parliamentary funds to pay for assistants who in fact worked for the RN.
Le Pen, who stepped down as an MEP in 2017 after her election to the French parliament, has denied the claims.
The charges carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to double the alleged funds embezzled.
If convicted, the court could also declare Le Pen ineligible for office for up to 10 years – essentially thwarting her plan to make a fourth run for the French presidency.
The fake jobs inquiry began in 2015, with prosecutors alleging that starting in 2004, National Front eurodeputies including Le Pen took part in the fake jobs scheme.
Marine Le Pen was runner-up to Emmanuel Macron in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections and could have another go in 2027.
She was president of her party until 2021, and now leads its parliamentary group.
Credit: rfi
