(Adnkronos) – The leader of the French Rassemblement National, Jordan Bardella, is reportedly at the center of an investigation launched by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (Eppo) into the alleged misappropriation of EU funds related to “media training” sessions. Politico reports this, citing a party official, who rejected the accusations against Bardella, explaining that the provision of such services complied with the rules of the European Parliament and had been approved by the competent authorities “for several MEPs belonging to the Rn group…including Jordan Bardella”.
The investigation follows a complaint filed by the Anti Corruption organization last December. The pan-European publication notes that, according to several French media outlets, the complaint against Bardella had initially been filed with the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office before being transferred to Eppo. According to the Rn official, the complaint represents a “political instrumentalization” of the French judicial system. In the background is the conviction for misappropriation of European funds from which Rn parliamentary leader Marine Le Pen hopes to free herself in order to run for president in 2027, where she and Bardella are seen as the favorites: the appeal is scheduled for July.
