French police raided the headquarters of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party in Paris as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged campaign finance violations and fraud. The operation involved approximately 20 financial brigade police officers, some armed and wearing bulletproof vests, accompanied by two investigating judges !!!

They seized thousands of documents, emails, and accounting records related to RN’s campaigns for the 2022 presidential election, 2022 French parliamentary elections, and 2024 European Parliament elections. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that the probe, initiated a year earlier, is examining allegations of fraud, money laundering, forgery, and illegal loans from individuals benefiting the party or its candidates. Searches also occurred at unidentified companies and the homes of their executives.

RN president Jordan Bardella denounced the raid as a “harassment campaign” and a “serious attack on pluralism and democratic alternation,” claiming the seized materials included all files related to the party’s recent electoral activities. He argued that the loans in question were legal, often from RN activists, as French banks typically refuse to finance the party. No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, on July 8, 2025, EU financial prosecutors launched an investigation into the alleged misuse of €4.3 million by the now-defunct Identity and Democracy group, which included RN.

Despite these setbacks, RN remains France’s largest single parliamentary party. Bardella, who has emerged as a prominent figure, stated he would run for president in 2027 if Le Pen’s ban is upheld.

Europe is a democratic heaven….