Probe launched into 2022 French far-right presidential candidate’s campaign funding

By Nur Asena Erturk

The Paris prosecutor’s office launched a probe into the former far-right presidential candidate’s electoral campaign funding in 2022, French media reported Tuesday.

Former National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen was one of the presidential candidates in the 2022 elections and lost to current President Emmanuel Macron in the second round.

The Paris prosecutor’s office on July 2 launched a probe into Le Pen’s campaign over suspicion of illegal funding, broadcaster BFMTV reported.

The French National Commission on Elections Financing, an independent administrative authority, reported irregularities in Le Pen’s campaign, in 2023.

The campaign is suspected of embezzlement, fraud, and accepting a loan.

According to French law, electoral candidates are prohibited from surpassing a certain amount of expenses.

The election watchdog examines candidates’ expenses, based on the invoices. Candidates who follow the rules are eligible for a partial state refund for their campaign expenses. If not the case, it can reform the balances in case of suspicious spending, reduce the refund, or bring the cases to justice.