EU prosecutors raid multiple countries in probe of €4.3m misuse by Le Pen’s old parliamentary group
Coordinated searches in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium target the former Identity and Democracy group, whose members included Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, as the Paris appeal court prepares a pivotal eligibility ruling on 7 July.
Raids across four EU countries
On 30 June, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) carried out searches in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium as part of an investigation into the former Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament. The ID group, which brought together far-right parties such as the French National Rally (RN), Italy’s League and Germany’s AfD, is suspected of improperly spending more than €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024.
In Spain, officers from the UDEF economic and fiscal crime unit entered a property in Madrid’s Salamanca district linked to the ID group. The EPPO confirmed the investigative measures but declined to provide further details to avoid compromising the ongoing proceedings.
What the investigation covers
The probe, opened in July 2025, was triggered by a report from the European Parliament’s financial affairs directorate. At issue is whether the group used parliamentary funds for expenses unrelated to official activities. According to documents seen by Le Monde, the bulk of the contested spending went to two communication companies, e-Politic and Unanime, both tied to figures close to Marine Le Pen: her former adviser Frédéric Chatillon and his wife Sighild Blanc. e-Politic alone received more than €2 million.
Since early this morning, searches have been underway at the offices and personal residences of communication service providers who have worked with us.
RN president Jordan Bardella confirmed the raids and linked them to what he described as judicial timing aligned with the electoral calendar. He also revealed that a separate judicial investigation is being opened against him personally over a short-term job he held at the European Parliament almost twelve years ago, following a complaint by the anti-corruption association Anticor.
Political timing and the 2027 race
RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy called it “troubling that this investigation has resurfaced seven days before” the Paris appeal court decides Marine Le Pen’s ineligibility on 7 July. The court’s ruling in the parliamentary assistants case will determine whether Le Pen can run in the 2027 presidential election, where Bardella is widely seen as her natural successor.
It is troubling that this investigation has resurfaced seven days before the destiny of Marine Le Pen is decided by the justice system.
- EPPO opens investigation following a report from the European Parliament’s financial affairs directorate on potential misuse of funds.
- Coordinated raids carried out in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium on communication providers and offices linked to the ID group.
- Paris court of appeal to rule on Marine Le Pen’s eligibility in the parliamentary assistants case.
The ID group’s dissolution and aftermath
Identity and Democracy was dissolved after the 2024 European elections. Most of its MEPs joined the Patriots for Europe group, now chaired by Bardella. The new investigation adds to a dense judicial calendar for the French far right, already dealing with Le Pen’s appeal and a fresh preliminary inquiry into Bardella’s past parliamentary assistant role and allegations of forged documents.
