Paris prosecutor investigates Marine Le Pen for alleged finance violations

The Paris prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into Marine Le Pen, leader of the "National Rally" parliamentary faction, on suspicions of breaching campaign finance regulations during the 2022 election.

The investigation follows an inquiry by the National Commission on Campaign Accounts and Political Financing (CNCCFP), which scrutinizes whether candidates' election expenses were lawfully reimbursed, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

While the CNCCFP regularly refers irregularities to the prosecutor's office, Le Pen is reportedly the sole subject of an investigation stemming from this election cycle.

The probe reportedly centres on concerns regarding the financing sources of her campaign. In a specific instance highlighted by the media, a disagreement arose in 2023 between the CNCCFP and Le Pen's party, "Rassemblement National," regarding the allocation of €300,000 spent on renting advertising space for 12 buses during the campaign.

Le Pen contested the exclusion of this expenditure from reimbursable costs by appealing to the Constitutional Council, although the council's decision on her appeal remains pending.