Overview
- The European Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation Thursday on suspicion of fraud after France’s financial prosecutors sent it a December 2025 complaint from AC!!Anti-Corruption.
- The filing alleges EU funds for MEP duties paid a media coach who trained Jordan Bardella and other National Rally members for the 2022 presidential campaign.
- The EPPO, which prosecutes crimes that harm the EU budget, declined to comment under its rule against discussing ongoing probes.
- National Rally rejects the claims, and an official told Politico the media training complied with Parliament rules, covered several RN MEPs, and stopped before the 2022 vote.
- The case arrives as Marine Le Pen awaits a July appeals ruling on her 2025 conviction that could bar her from office and leave Bardella poised to lead the party in 2027.