Prosecutors conduct Europe-wide raids over alleged misuse of funds by defunct far-right EU group
Raids were underway in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium as part of a probe into the alleged misuse of European parliament funds by the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said on Tuesday they were conducting raids in four countries to probe alleged misappropriation of EU funds by the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European parliament.
The EPPO said the searches were "part of an ongoing investigation into the use of EU funds by a former political group of the European Parliament between 2019 and 2024."
The ID group was formally disbanded after elections in 2024 and was succeeded by a new grouping Patriots for Europe. It contained MEPs from a range of Eurosceptic parties including France's National Rally (RN), Italy's League (Lega) and the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Jordan Bardella, RN president and head of the Patriots group, posted on X on Tuesday evening that "searches have been underway at the offices and private homes of communications service providers who have worked with us" since the morning.
The EU's prosecutor announced formal investigations in July last year after media quoted a parliamentary report as saying said ID was suspected of improperly spending €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024.
Bardella at the time said the probe represented "a new harassment operation by the European Parliament".
The RN is eyeing its best chance yet of winning the presidency in France next year, with polls suggesting it will have a commanding lead in the first round of voting.
But three-time RN presidential candidate Marine Le Pen may have to quit the race, and let Bardella run instead, if a Paris court next week upholds a five-year ban from office in a separate case of alleged fake jobs in EU parliament from 2004 to 2016.
France's National Rally targeted as part of Europe-wide raids over alleged far-right embezzlement
France's National Rally was on Tuesday targeted as part of Europe-wide raids following suspicions of the misappropriation of European funds by the now-defunct Identity and Democracy (ID) group of MEPs, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said, onfirming a report in French daily Le Monde.
Issued on: 30/06/2026 -
By: FRANCE 24
Searches are currently under way “in France and other European countries” following suspicions of the misappropriation of European funds by the now-defunct Identity and Democracy (ID) group of MEPs, of which France's far-right National Rally (RN) was a member, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said on Tuesday, confirming a report in French daily Le Monde.
The EPPO said it was "carrying out investigative measures in France and other European countries as part of an ongoing investigation into the use of EU funds by a former political group of the European Parliament between 2019 and 2024."
The ID group contained MEPs from a range of Eurosceptic parties including France's RN, Italy's League and the Alternative for Germany.
"Since early this morning, searches have been underway at the offices and private homes of communications service providers who have worked with us," RN president Jordan Bardella said on X.
The EU's prosecutor announced formal investigations in July last year after media quoted a parliamentary report as saying said ID was suspected of improperly spending 4.3 million euros ($5 million) between 2019 and 2024.
ID was formally disbanded after elections in 2024 and was succeeded by the Patriots for Europe group. Bardella, who heads the Patriots group, last year said the probe represented a "new harassment operation by the European Parliament".
The RN is eyeing its best chance yet of winning the presidency in France next year, with polls suggesting it will have a commanding lead in the first round of voting.
But three-time RN presidential candidate Marine Le Pen may have to quit the race, and let Bardella run instead, if a Paris court next week upholds a five-year ban from running for public office in a separate case related to an alleged fake jobs scam in the EU parliament from 2004 to 2016.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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