Investigators scrutinize Le Pen party's headquarters in financial probe
In a significant turn of events, French police, led by the Paris judicial police’s financial and anti-corruption brigade, conducted raids on the headquarters of Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) party, as well as the offices and homes of several company executives, on July 9, 2025 [1][2][3]. The investigations are focused on allegations of illegal financing for the RN's campaigns in the 2022 presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as the 2024 European elections.
The raids follow an investigation launched a year ago by the Paris prosecutor's office, which is now examining potential illegal loans from private individuals to the party, as well as inflated invoices and fictitious services as possible sources of funding [1][2]. The investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that the party and its candidates may have been funded through such means.
RN leader Jordan Bardella described the raids as a "spectacular and unprecedented action," while expressing concerns about the implications for pluralism and democracy in France [1]. Bardella also revealed that all files relating to the last regional, presidential, parliamentary, and European election campaigns are now in the hands of the justice system.
Marine Le Pen, the former leader of the RN, has appealed the verdict and has turned to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) [1]. This is not the first time Le Pen has been embroiled in financial misconduct allegations. Last month, a court convicted Le Pen, her party, and other party officials of misusing EU funds [1].
In addition to the national inquiry, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a separate investigation into alleged misuse of European Parliament funds by a defunct far-right group that included the RN [1][2]. Most of those funds are alleged to have benefited companies linked to a former advisor of Le Pen and his wife [1][2].
The RN has claimed that it is being politically targeted to prevent it from gaining power [2]. However, the investigations are ongoing, and it is crucial to allow due process and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
In summary, both French and European authorities are actively investigating the RN over multiple allegations of illegal and improper financing of recent election campaigns, with searches and evidence seizures underway as part of the ongoing process [1][2][3]. The investigations are expected to shed light on the financial dealings of the party and potentially have far-reaching implications for French politics.
Sources: [1] BBC News (2025). French police raid RN party headquarters over financing probe. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62779472 [2] The Guardian (2025). French police raid RN party headquarters over financing probe. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/09/french-police-raid-rassemblement-national-party-headquarters-over-financing-probe [3] Le Monde (2025). Enquête sur la financement illégal de campagnes électorales du RN : les perquisitions commencent. [online] Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2025/07/09/enquete-sur-la-financement-illegal-de-campagnes-electorales-du-rn-les-perquisitions-commencent_6277947_1639926.html
Business and politics in France are under scrutiny following a financial investigation, as French police searched the headquarters of Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (RN) party on July 9, 2025. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is also investigating alleged misuse of European Parliament funds by a defunct far-right group that included the RN. These investigations, focused on allegations of illegal financing for the RN's campaigns, concerning the 2022 presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as the 2024 European elections, have uncovered evidence suggesting that the party may have been funded through such means. The investigations are expected to shed light on the financial dealings of the RN and potentially have far-reaching implications for French politics.
