The French far-right party, National Rally (RN), has denounced a "new harassment campaign" following police raids at its headquarters, which authorities executed while probing potential fraud linked to the party's campaign financing. RN's president, Jordan Bardella, labeled the operation as a "serious attack on pluralism and democratic change," indicating that it marked an unprecedented level of state intervention. These investigations focus on alleged irregularities in funding during the 2022 and 2024 elections, specifically regarding loans and donations.
Former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just echoed Bardella's sentiments, asserting that RN had acted within legal boundaries and criticizing the raids as outlandish persecution. Despite previous legal troubles, RN continues to garner support in French polls, with Bardella emerging as a leading political figure.
The police operation, carried out while Bardella was attending a session in Strasbourg, reportedly involved 20 police officers seizing internal documents along with additional raids on associated companies. This measure is the culmination of an investigation initiated a year ago concerning allegations of embezzlement and fraud targeting the party.
Prosecutors are particularly focused on determining whether illicit payments financed RN's election efforts and whether false invoices were submitted as campaign expenses. RN has claimed these allegations stem from difficulties in securing financial backing from French banks, noting prior loans obtained from Russian and Hungarian banks.
Additionally, the investigations extend to a former political alliance in the European Parliament, Identity and Democracy, which RN was part of before its dissolution due to suspected misuse of funds. Bardella criticized these measures as a coercive act by the European Parliament in a statement on Tuesday.
With ongoing inquiries and previous legal challenges, RN’s situation continues to unfold as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 European elections.
Former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just echoed Bardella's sentiments, asserting that RN had acted within legal boundaries and criticizing the raids as outlandish persecution. Despite previous legal troubles, RN continues to garner support in French polls, with Bardella emerging as a leading political figure.
The police operation, carried out while Bardella was attending a session in Strasbourg, reportedly involved 20 police officers seizing internal documents along with additional raids on associated companies. This measure is the culmination of an investigation initiated a year ago concerning allegations of embezzlement and fraud targeting the party.
Prosecutors are particularly focused on determining whether illicit payments financed RN's election efforts and whether false invoices were submitted as campaign expenses. RN has claimed these allegations stem from difficulties in securing financial backing from French banks, noting prior loans obtained from Russian and Hungarian banks.
Additionally, the investigations extend to a former political alliance in the European Parliament, Identity and Democracy, which RN was part of before its dissolution due to suspected misuse of funds. Bardella criticized these measures as a coercive act by the European Parliament in a statement on Tuesday.
With ongoing inquiries and previous legal challenges, RN’s situation continues to unfold as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 European elections.
