French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is facing questioning in a Paris court on Monday as part of a trial investigating fake jobs within the European Union parliament. Le Pen, along with several other members of her National Rally party, are being accused of using EU funds to pay party staff members who were actually working in France.
The investigation, which began in 2018, has been examining whether Le Pen and her party misused EU funds by falsely claiming that party members were working as parliamentary assistants in Brussels when they were actually working domestically. Le Pen has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the allegations are politically motivated.
The case shines a spotlight on the ongoing legal troubles facing the far-right leader, who has been a divisive figure in French politics for years. Le Pen, who ran for president in 2017 but was defeated by Emmanuel Macron, has faced criticism over her anti-immigration stance and nationalist rhetoric.
The trial is expected to continue for several days, with Le Pen expected to appear in court to answer questions from judges. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the future of the National Rally party and for Le Pen’s political career.
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