French police have come under fire after conducting a raid at the headquarters of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, intensifying outrage among party leaders who allege systematic harassment. The operation, which party president Jordan Bardella described as "spectacular and unprecedented," raised alarms about attacks on democratic processes and pluralism in France. Prosecutors are investigating possible fraud associated with campaign financing, particularly concerning the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.
Bardella, who has recently become a popular political figure, emphasized that the operation appeared to target the party’s internal documents and included a concurrent search of his office. Former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just staunchly defended RN, asserting that all campaign financing has been legal and regularly audited. However, these claims overshadowed recent legal challenges faced by the party's prominent leader, Marine Le Pen, who was previously convicted of misappropriating European Union funds and disqualified from running for public office for five years.
The police action marks the latest chapter in a long-standing inquiry launched a year prior, investigating allegations of embezzlement and fraud within party financing. Prosecutors are examining whether the RN's financial practices involved illicit payments or inflated invoices meant to deceive state reimbursements—issues compounded by the party’s struggles to secure domestic bank loans, previously leading them to rely on Russian and Hungarian funding options.
In a widening impact on the National Rally, a separate investigation initiated by the European Union public prosecutor's office has focused on the misuses of funds within a former parliamentary group that the party was involved with. Despite the controversies, the National Rally remains ahead in many opinion polls, suggesting that public support may not wane quickly; however, the ongoing scrutiny will likely loom over the party as it prepares for future electoral contests. Observe how this situation unfolds as the RN navigates legal challenges and redefines its political strategy.
