French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her National Rally (RN) party are currently on trial in Paris for allegedly using European Parliament funds to pay staff in France between 2004 and 2016. Le Pen strongly denies any wrongdoing and argues that the money was used legitimately to further the party’s political goals in France. The trial is a crucial moment for Le Pen, who is expected to run for president in 2027. If found guilty, she and her co-defendants could face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines. The alleged fake jobs system was flagged in 2015, with prosecutors claiming that assistants hired by the party did not actually work for the European Parliament. The trial is set to last for nine weeks and could have significant implications for Le Pen’s political career and aspirations. The judge presiding over the case has expressed dissatisfaction with Le Pen’s explanations, hinting that the outcome of the trial remains uncertain. The European Parliament estimates the damage from the alleged crimes to be 3.5 million euros. This trial will ultimately determine whether Marine Le Pen can continue her political ambitions or face serious consequences.
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