Overview
- The European Public Prosecutor’s Office carried out coordinated searches on Tuesday, June 30, in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium as part of an ongoing probe into the now‑defunct Identity and Democracy group’s use of European Parliament funds from 2019–2024.
- The investigation focuses on suspected improper spending of about €4.3 million, a figure first highlighted in a confidential parliamentary report that prompted the EPPO to open formal investigations in July 2025.
- Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally and leader of the Patriots group, said police searched the offices and private homes of communications contractors who worked with his team, though authorities have not detailed specific charges.
- RN leaders have denounced the raids as political harassment, and the inquiry adds pressure to the party as Marine Le Pen awaits the outcome of a separate appeal that could bar her from running in 2027 and elevate Bardella’s role.
- The EPPO is the EU body that investigates crimes affecting the EU budget, and the next steps to watch are further search warrants, any formal charges, and how court rulings could alter the French far‑right’s candidate line‑up and campaign operations.