French Authorities Conduct Raids on National Rally Headquarters Amid Campaign Finance Probe
French authorities have carried out a significant raid on the headquarters of the far-right National Rally (RN), marking a major development in an ongoing investigation into potential campaign finance violations. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, involved armed officers and court officials seizing emails, documents, and accounting data from the party’s Paris office.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the investigation is examining whether the RN financed its campaigns using illegal loans between 2020 and 2024. This probe also includes allegations of money laundering and the use of forged documents during key electoral events, such as the 2022 French presidential campaign, the legislative elections held that same year, and the European elections in 2024.
Despite the intensity of the raid, no charges have been filed yet, and the investigation remains active. The prosecutors have not provided further details on the specific nature of the alleged violations or the evidence being examined.
Jordan Bardella Condemns the Raid as a “Harassment Campaign”
In a statement shared on X, the RN’s president, Jordan Bardella, described the raid as part of a broader “harassment campaign” against the party. He emphasized that the entire archive of files related to the party’s recent regional, presidential, parliamentary, and European campaigns had been seized by the judiciary. Bardella admitted he was unaware of the legal basis for the operation and expressed concerns about the implications for democratic processes.
“This spectacular and unprecedented operation… is clearly part of a new harassment campaign,” he said. “It’s a serious attack on pluralism and democratic transition. An opposition party has never suffered such persecution under the Fifth Republic.”
Bardella’s comments reflect the growing tensions between the RN and French authorities, particularly following a series of legal challenges faced by the party in recent months.
Recent Legal Challenges and Political Struggles
The raid comes just three months after the party’s co-founder and former leader, Marine Le Pen, was convicted of embezzling European Union funds. The ruling led to a five-year ban on her holding public office, which could prevent her from running in France’s 2027 election. Le Pen has since appealed the verdict, and the Paris Court of Appeal is expected to issue a ruling by next summer.
In addition to this, Le Pen has asked the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to intervene and demand that France lift the ban on her running for office. This move highlights the political and legal complexities surrounding the RN’s leadership and its ambitions within the French political landscape.
Broader Implications for Far-Right Politics in France
The National Rally has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, becoming the largest single parliamentary party in France. However, it has remained outside of government due to the dominance of mainstream political forces. The party continues to challenge the status quo, advocating for policies that often clash with those of the current administration.
This latest raid and the ongoing investigations add another layer of scrutiny to the RN’s activities. It raises questions about the extent to which far-right parties can operate within the legal framework of French democracy and the role of judicial institutions in overseeing their finances and conduct.
Other Related Investigations
Separately, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the alleged misuse of €4.3 million in EU funds by Identity and Democracy, a now-defunct far-right group in the European Parliament that included members of the RN. This development underscores the broader concerns about financial misconduct among far-right political groups across Europe.
As these investigations continue, the political and legal landscape in France remains dynamic, with far-reaching implications for the future of the National Rally and the broader political discourse in the country.
