The French police raided the headquarters of Rassemblement National on Wednesday. This is the party of the radical right-wing politician Marine Le Pen. The raid was carried out in connection with possible violations of financial rules for political parties.
Party leader Jordan Bardella reports on X that the police entered the headquarters shortly before 9:00 AM. According to him, emails, documents and accounting records were seized. The party was not aware of the raid in advance. Bardella calls the raid an “intimidation campaign” by the French authorities.
The French judiciary confirmed the raid shortly after Bardella’s message on X. Justice says that the raid was carried out in connection with an investigation into, among other things, fraud, violations of financial rules for political parties and forgery. Raids were also carried out at a number of companies and the homes of their CEOs, whose names the judiciary does not disclose.
The violations are said to have taken place during the campaigns for the presidential elections of 2022, the parliamentary elections of 2024 and the European elections of 2024. These campaigns may have been financed illegally, reports Le Monde. No one is being prosecuted in the investigation yet.
The police raid is another blow to Rassemblement National (RN) and party founder Le Pen. The radical right-wing party currently leads the largest bloc in parliament, but has been in trouble in recent months due to a series of scandals.
Le Pen banned from election participation for five years
The low point for the party was earlier this year. Then a judge ruled that Le Pen may not participate in elections for the next five years due to embezzling European public money. She also received a prison sentence of four years, two of which were suspended. Le Pen appealed the ruling and is still awaiting the appeal.
On Tuesday, Le Pen also filed a case with the European Court of Human Rights to reverse her exclusion from elections. She claims that the ruling could cause “irreparable damage” if early elections are called.
France is currently still led by President Emmanuel Macron, but he lost support in parliament in early elections last year. His government now relies on a shaky minority coalition. In practice, the government needs support from the radical left or the radical right bloc to get laws through parliament. Both blocs are very critical of Macron.
Le Pen was seen as a major contender to take over from Macron in 2027, when the French go to the polls again. Party leader Bardella has indicated that he wants to become a presidential candidate on behalf of RN if Le Pen loses her appeal.