The dark times are ahead as the EU is coming for the far-right. But this time, it is not about a political debate—it is about the balance sheet.
This week, The European Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a fresh wave of raids across France, Spain, Italy and Belgium. They are digging into the 4.3 million euros of EU funds allegedly misused by the European Parliament's Identity and Democracy group between 2019-2024. What’s going on?
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The prosecutors are scrutinising whether the party breached public tender rules when awarding public contracts and issued irregular donations using those taxpayer funds.
Importantly, that political group is dead. It has been rebranded into the new "Patriots for Europe" coalition, led by the rising star Jordan Bardella. They are currently the third-largest force in the European Parliament.
It seems like the name on the office door has changed, but the paper trail remains. And the European prosecutors are conducting searches at the offices and homes of communication providers tied to that old group.
Last year when the investigation was announced, Bardella claimed it was "a new harassment operation."
At the same time, the timing for the National Rally, so Bardella's party, could not be more brutal.
Next week, Marine Le Pen discovers if a Paris court will uphold a five-year ban from public office on allegations of, well, embezzling public funds. If she is out, Bardella is the designated successor.
Will the National Rally maintain its political momentum? After all, the party relies on its image as the "voice of the people" against a distant Brussels elite.
Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.