Le Pen’s 2017 presidential campaign was also fraught with irregularities. The CNCCFP refused to refund loans given by the party and Jean-Marie Le Pen’s micro-party Cotelec towards her campaign, arguing that the interest rates set on these loans was too high.
In September, Le Pen is also set to go on trial along with 24 other people over alleged misuse of EU funds, after a seven-year investigation into allegations that the National Rally used public funds, which were meant for EU parliamentary assistants, to pay party staff.
According to Libération, Le Pen herself faces accusations of embezzlement of public funds and risks a fine and up to 10 years in jail. Significantly, Le Pen risks being disqualified from standing in elections for five years, which would affect her ability to run as a candidate in the next presidential election in 2027.