Identity and Democracy

Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally, faces legal challenges as police raided contractors linked to the party's dissolved European Parliament group. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates alleged irregular spending by the party's former and new groups, including €4.3 million and €280,000 in potential breaches. Bardella and allies claim the investigations are politically motivated.

France’s far-right National Rally faces ongoing legal challenges as police raids linked to fraud allegations against Jordan Bardella, its president, and similar issues involving Marine Le Pen persist. Investigations into misuse of taxpayer funds by the defunct Identity and Democracy group, where Bardella was vice-president, could prolong judicial troubles for the party despite its strong poll numbers.

EU prosecutors are conducting searches in France and other countries to investigate alleged misappropriation of EU funds by the defunct far-right group Identity and Democracy. The group included MEPs from France's National Rally, Italy's League, and Alternative for Germany.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally, stated that police raided offices and private residences of communications contractors linked to his team. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed an investigation into the use of European funds by the Patriots group in the European Parliament, following prior allegations of financial misconduct against the group’s predecessor, Identity and Democracy.

The European Parliament ordered the far-right Patriots for Europe group to return €276,967 in misused EU funds due to improper donations, procurement breaches, and irregular contracts, including to companies linked to France’s National Rally. The audit found the group funded local organizations and awarded tenders without following procedures, similar to prior issues with the now-defunct Identity and Democracy group.