European Public Prosecutor opens fresh investigation into former far-right group for misappropriation of funds
The European Public Prosecutor is investigating the "Identity and Democracy" group for unjustified expenditure of €4.33 million.
European Public Prosecutor opens fresh investigation into former far-right group for misappropriation of funds
The European Public Prosecutor, headed by Laura Kövesi, opened an investigation in July 2025 following a report from the Directorate of Economic Affairs of the European Parliament. The investigation concerns the former European political group "Identity and Democracy" (ID), which allegedly spent €4.33 million unjustifiably.
The accusations focus primarily on Marine Le Pen's National Rally. Approximately €700,000 of these funds, according to 2025 reports, involved cash donations from the European Parliament, although the report made no mention of attempts to create a "clientelist state".
Investigations by French, Italian, German and Belgian media outlets showed that animal welfare associations, anti-abortion groups, religious associations and religious programmes in these countries had been subsidised. Most problematic for the parties involved is the award of contracts, sometimes without competitive bidding, to companies linked to the far-right parties making up the European group, for a total exceeding €3.6 million.
According to information obtained by Le Monde, several searches were carried out on Tuesday, 30 June in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium, as part of proceedings launched in July 2025 following the submission of a report by the General Directorate of Economic Affairs of the European Parliament. The operations were coordinated by the Central Office for Combating Serious Economic and Financial Crime, with support from other services.
According to the French media's information, premises held by e-Politic communications agency founder Paul Alexandre Martin, including his residence in southern France, were among the sites searched. This agency played a key role in the emergence and preparation of Jordan Bardella for leadership of the National Rally.
The European group included member parties from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Finland. Following its dissolution, the "Identity and Democracy" group was transferred almost entirely into the new "Patriots for Europe" group.
Source: in.gr
Source: In.gr