Marine Le Pen Denies Wrongdoing at Start of Appeal Trial in European Parliament Assistants Case

On January 13, 2026, Marine Le Pen faced the appeal trial in Paris concerning accusations that parliamentary assistants, allegedly funded by the European Parliament, were deployed to serve interests of the National Rally party (RN) rather than their official roles. Le Pen, former president of the RN, asserted she did not believe she had committed any offense throughout her testimony. She highlighted that she never intended any wrongdoing and pointed to the European Parliament's failure to alert her about potential irregularities related to the assistants' contracts from 2004 to 2014.

This legal battle involves eleven defendants and the RN party itself as a legal entity, with proceedings expected to run until February 11, 2026. Previously, Le Pen was sentenced to five years of ineligibility, barring her from running in the 2027 presidential election, along with a four-year prison term (two years to be served under electronic monitoring) and a €100,000 fine. The appeal trial represents a pivotal moment for her political future, as upholding the conviction could lead to her replacement by Jordan Bardella as the RN's presidential candidate.

In addition to denying personal culpability, Le Pen suggested during the hearing that she might adjust her defense strategy, indicating she could accept the possibility that offenses were committed without her knowledge. This nuanced stance reflects the complex legal and political ramifications of the case.

The trial highlights significant tensions between Le Pen, the RN, and European institutions over the use of parliamentary funds and party activities. The verdict will bear heavily on French politics ahead of the 2027 elections, determining Le Pen's eligibility and the RN's candidate lineup moving forward.