Trial of the National Rally Opens in Paris
On Monday, July 7, 2026, a highly anticipated trial began at the Paris court. Marine Le Pen and twenty-four other members of the National Rally (RN) party are being tried for suspected embezzlement of European public funds. This case, which has been ongoing for several years, is drawing the attention of all French media and citizens.
The justice system is seeking to determine if the party used European Parliament money to pay employees who were actually working for the RN in France. Normally, parliamentary assistants must help MEPs in their work in Strasbourg or Brussels. Here, investigators believe that these assistants were dedicated solely to the internal activities of the political party.
Among those on trial are prominent figures such as Marine Le Pen. She firmly denies these accusations and asserts that her party has always respected the rules. According to her, this trial is a political attempt to weaken her movement before the next elections. Her lawyers are preparing a solid defense to prove the innocence of the defendants.
The stakes of this trial are enormous for the political future of France. If the judges find the defendants guilty, the sanctions could be severe. In addition to fines and prison sentences, the court could decide on a sentence of ineligibility. This would mean that Marine Le Pen could not run in the next presidential elections in 2027.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, featuring numerous testimonies and the analysis of complex financial documents. The French people are closely following this case, which could transform the country's political landscape. The court's final decision will be a historic moment for justice and democracy in France.