Marine Le Pen defiant in court as she denies embezzling EU funds with far-right colleagues
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Marine Le Pen defiant in court as she denies embezzling EU funds with far-right colleagues

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she hasn’t committed the “slightest” wrongdoing as she took the stand in a major trial which could derail her political aspirations. Le Pen and her National Rally party are accused of the embezzlement of European Parliament funds to pay Brussels-hired staff for work that was unrelated to their business in the EU, banned under the union’s regulations. It could be career-defining for Le Pen, who is expected to be a strong contender for France’s next presidential election in 2027, when president Emmanuel Macron is set to face a difficult time with the electorate after the 2024 French legislative elections saw his Ensemble alliance collapse in favour of leftist and right-wing political factions. Le Pen argued that an MEP’s role extends beyond voting on EU regulations, and in fact involves promoting their views at a national level, meeting with voters, defining a strategy with other officials within a party, attending major events and speaking in the media.

French Mep Le Pen Pen Party Le  pen  national  marine  embezzling  breaking  political  party  le  court  eu  denies  defiant  sign  funds  farright  trial

History of this topic

Marine Le Pen's push for no-confidence motion against France's PM is a big gamble; Here's why
1 month ago

Marine Le Pen's push for no-confidence motion against France's PM is a big gamble; Here's why

Firstpost  

The stakes are high for Le Pen, as a successful vote could lead to new parliamentary elections and potentially pave the way for her to challenge Macron’s government. However, it also risks economic instability and could paint her as prioritising personal ambition over national interest President of Rassemblement National parliamentary group Marine Le Pen, is facing a high-risk, high-reward situation …

High-stakes trial that could derail presidential ambitions of France’s Marine Le Pen wraps up
1 month, 1 week ago

High-stakes trial that could derail presidential ambitions of France’s Marine Le Pen wraps up

Associated Press  

PARIS — Marine Le Pen’s trial is ending with one key question: will France’s leading far-right figure be able to run in the next presidential race? Le Pen pleads “not guilty” Le Pen’s lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, said Wednesday his client pleaded “not guilty.” He said he would seek to convince the court that Le Pen’s actions “were ordinary, trivial, practiced …

High-stakes trial that could derail presidential ambitions of France’s Marine Le Pen wraps up
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

High-stakes trial that could derail presidential ambitions of France’s Marine Le Pen wraps up

LA Times  

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen arrives at the courtroom Wednesday for the last day of her trial on charges of embezzling European Parliament funds. Le Pen’s lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, said Wednesday his client pleaded “not guilty.” He said he would seek to convince the court that Le Pen’s actions “were ordinary, trivial, practiced by all European similar opposition parties… …

Le Pen meets PM as French government wobbles
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Le Pen meets PM as French government wobbles

Raw Story  

French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen on Monday threatened to back a no confidence motion that could topple the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a standoff over the budget, saying after talks both sides were entrenched in their positions. However, that could prompt Le Pen's far right National Rally to team up in an unholy alliance with the …

Prosecutors demand jail time, ban on public office for Le Pen over embezzlement charges
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Prosecutors demand jail time, ban on public office for Le Pen over embezzlement charges

Raw Story  

French prosecutors demanded Wednesday that far-right leader Marine Le Pen receive a jail sentence and be banned from public office for five years over charges she embezzled European Parliament funds. The prosecution made the request in a Paris court where Le Pen and other defendants from her National Rally party are on trial accused of creating fake jobs at the …

Fall of Marine Le Pen: Far-right French leader could face jail term and 5-yr poll ban in EU embezzlement case
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Fall of Marine Le Pen: Far-right French leader could face jail term and 5-yr poll ban in EU embezzlement case

Firstpost  

Le Pen, along with 24 party officials of the National Rally, employees, former lawmakers and parliamentary assistants, were all accused of using EU funds to pay off staff who were working for their party in France. The prosecutors are now asking for a five-year jail term along with a 5-year ban from running for office In a major turn of …

Marine Le Pen court case: French far-right leader’s next bid for presidency threatened as prosecutors seek political ban
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Marine Le Pen court case: French far-right leader’s next bid for presidency threatened as prosecutors seek political ban

CNN  

CNN — French prosecutors have asked for prison time and a five-year ban from politics for far-right leader Marine Le Pen, potentially derailing her bid to become president in 2027. The prosecutors also asked that the ineligibility sentence was given “with provisional execution,” meaning it would take place immediately and Le Pen could not stand for new elections during this …

France’s Marine Le Pen rejects embezzlement claims as her presidential bid hangs in balance
1 month, 3 weeks ago

France’s Marine Le Pen rejects embezzlement claims as her presidential bid hangs in balance

Associated Press  

PARIS — For weeks, Marine Le Pen has thrown all her energy into fighting what she calls unfair accusations that her party embezzled European Parliament funds. “I feel we didn’t succeed in convincing you,” Le Pen told the panel of three judges last week, as she detailed her arguments in a one-hour-and-a-half speech punctuated with political remarks seemingly meant to …

France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces court on charges of embezzling EU funds
2 months, 3 weeks ago

France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces court on charges of embezzling EU funds

LA Times  

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen strongly denied committing any wrongdoing at a Paris court Monday as she and her National Rally party stand trial over the suspected embezzlement of European Parliament funds. Le Pen appeared self-confident and determined in court, stating in a loud voice: “I’m telling you very clearly: I absolutely don’t feel I have committed the slightest …

France's Le Pen faces embezzlement charges
3 months, 1 week ago

France's Le Pen faces embezzlement charges

China Daily  

By Jonathan Powell in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-10-01 18:44 French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is seen during a break in her trial alongside 24 other defendants and the RN party itself at the courthouse in Paris, France on Sept 30. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and other National Rally officials went on trial on …

Le Pen's future in the balance as French far-right officials go on trial for alleged EU funds misuse
3 months, 1 week ago

Le Pen's future in the balance as French far-right officials go on trial for alleged EU funds misuse

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The stakes are high for Marine Le Pen as she and …

French prosecutors launch investigation into Le Pen’s campaign finances
6 months ago

French prosecutors launch investigation into Le Pen’s campaign finances

Al Jazeera  

Prosecutor’s office says it will look into allegations of embezzlement, forgery and fraud – and accusations that a candidate on a campaign accepted a loan. French investigators are looking into far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen’s 2022 campaign finances for an election she lost to President Emmanuel Macron, prosecutors said. The investigation, which was opened on July 2, follows a …

Marine Le Pen warns France at risk of 'social explosion' over pensions reform
1 year, 9 months ago

Marine Le Pen warns France at risk of 'social explosion' over pensions reform

Firstpost  

Paris: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen warned Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was pushing the country to the verge of a “social explosion” with his highly contested pensions reform. Le Pen said she had already played the role of “firefighter” in 2019 during the so-called “Yellow Vests” revolt against Macron when protesters clashed repeatedly with police, blocked roads and …

Marine Le Pen, a fighter suffering another big defeat
2 years, 8 months ago

Marine Le Pen, a fighter suffering another big defeat

Hindustan Times  

Marine Le Pen, who on Sunday lost the second round of France's presidential election to Emmanuel Macron, had fought hard to make her far-right party electable but in the end failed by a wide margin to win over a majority of voters. Trailing by around 16 percentage points in the second-round runoff according to projections, Le Pen came far closer …

France: EU fraud agency investigating candidate Le Pen
2 years, 8 months ago

France: EU fraud agency investigating candidate Le Pen

Associated Press  

PARIS — Paris prosecutors are studying a report by the European Union’s fraud agency accusing French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and other members of her nationalist party of misusing public funds while serving in the European Parliament. The report was disclosed by French investigative news site Mediapart just days before Le Pen faces incumbent Emmanuel Macron in a …

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