In France, the prosecutor demands a five-year prison sentence (two of them suspended) and a five-year ban on political activity for the head of the National Union parliamentary faction, Marine Le Pen.
Points of attention
- The prosecutor in France demands a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban on political activity for Marine Le Pen, if found guilty.
- The trial of Marine Le Pen and other party officials in the 'National Union' involves accusations of misuse of European Parliament funds through fictitious employment of deputies' assistants.
- The trial has sparked strong reactions from the far-right and party leaders, with Marine Le Pen and her supporters claiming it as an attack on democracy.
- If convicted, Le Pen could face fines, imprisonment, and a disqualification from running for office for up to 10 years, potentially impacting her eligibility for presidential candidacy in 2027.
- The trial process, including the accusations and defense, is ongoing and is expected to continue until November 27, highlighting the significance of the case in the French political landscape.
The trial of politician Le Pen continues
If the court passes the appropriate verdict, Le Pen will not be able to run for president in 2027.
The prosecutor also demands that Le Pen be fined EUR 300,000 and disqualify 26 of her party members, who are involved in the case of misuse of European Parliament funds, from running in the elections.
The ultra-right call the process "political".
"I think the intention of the indictment is to deprive the French of the opportunity to vote for whoever they want," Le Pen said.
National Union leader Jordan Bardella called it an "attack on democracy."
The "National Union" party (until June 2018 — the "National Front") is accused of the fictitious employment of deputies' assistants in the European Parliament. According to the investigation, these persons received state funds for work in the EP, but actually worked for the party.
Among the defendants is also 96-year-old Jean-Marie Le Pen, but he is not present in court due to his health.
The process will last until November 27.
The trial of the odious Marine Le Pen began in Paris
On September 30, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right party "National Union" and a candidate for the presidency of France, appeared before a court in Paris on charges of improper use of European Parliament funds.
Along with Le Pen, more than 20 high-ranking party officials were in the dock, accused of hiring aides who worked for party, not parliamentary, purposes.
If found guilty, Le Pen faces fines and prison terms, as well as a potential disqualification from running for office for up to 10 years. At the same time, the politician denies her guilt.
We are going to prove that it is possible to be an assistant to a European parliamentarian and participate in the life of the RN, — said the party's spokesman Laurent Iacobelli.
