French Far-Right Leader On Trial Accused Of Embezzling European Funds

PARIS (AP) — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen denied violating any rules as she and her National Rally party and two dozen others went on trial on Monday, accused of embezzling European Parliament funds, in a case that has the potential to derail her political ambitions.

Le Pen told reporters she remained confident as “we have not violated any political and regulatory rules of the European Parliament.” She vowed to present the judges with “extremely serious and extremely solid arguments.″

She also said that she intended to attend the trial’s hearings “as much as possible” as she wants to advocate for the “freedom” of members of parliament to use the means they need to do their job.

Upon their arrival in the Paris courtroom, packed with journalists and the general public, Le Pen and other National Rally members appeared smiling and relaxed, casually greeting each other before listening carefully to various lawyers’ preliminary remarks.

A historic figure of the far-right party, former MEP Bruno Gollnisch told the court that “the whole procedure is contrary to the constitutional principle of separation of powers.”

The nine-week trial will be closely watched by Le Pen’s political rivals as she is a strong contender in the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron when the next presidential election takes place in 2027.

It comes as a new government dominated by centrists and conservatives just came into office in the wake of the June-July legislative elections. Some observers expect the trial could prevent National Rally lawmakers, including Le Pen herself, from fully playing their opposition role in Parliament as they would be busy focusing on the party’s defense.

Le Pen said she will speak Tuesday at the National Assembly, where