Rassemblement National trial: Marine Le Pen speaks out on the parliamentary assistants affair

The Rassemblement National (RN), formerly known as the Front National, is at the centre of an investigation into the alleged misuse of European funds to pay party employees. The trial, which began on Monday 30 September, will continue until 27 November.

At the opening of the proceedings, Marine Le Pen expressed her ‘serenity’ in the face of the accusations against her. She has been appearing alongside 24 other co-defendants before the Paris Criminal Court since 1.45pm. These individuals are suspected of having used European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 for personal purposes, to finance the salaries of certain party members. ‘We have not broken any rules‘, she told reporters, stressing that she faces legal risks that could include up to ten years in prison, a million euro fine, and ten years’ ineligibility. She also insisted that ‘parliamentary freedom is at stake in this case’ and promised to present a number of arguments in her defence.

The trial will also bring together nine former FN MEPs, including Marine Le Pen, Louis Aliot, the current vice-president of the RN, and Bruno Gollnisch, the party’s former number two. Twelve former parliamentary assistants and four party staff will also be on trial, with the trial scheduled to take place three half-days a week until the end of November.