French officials are investigating the finances of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen's 2022 campaign against President Emmanuel Macron, triggered by allegations of mismanagement, counterfeit activities, and malpractice.

Investigation Origins

The inquiry, initiated on July 2, stems from a 2023 report issued by the National Commission on Campaign Accounts and Political Financing (CNCCFP), responsible for supervising candidates' election expenditures and financial backing, as outlined by the prosecuting authority.

The probe will delve into suspected financial improprieties such as misappropriation, falsification, and deceit, in addition to claims that a campaign participant acknowledged a financial advance.

Marine Le Pen previously led the National Rally (RN) party until 2021 and vied against Emmanuel Macron in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, with the possibility of participating again in 2027.

Financial Disputes

During her 2022 presidential campaign, Le Pen allocated approximately 11.5 million euros ($12.4m) for her third electoral bid, where she encountered Macron in the final ballot and suffered defeat.

In December 2022, the CNCCFP raised objections concerning expenses related to the installation and removal of promotional materials on 12 buses, labeling the actions as "irregular."

Recently, France's highest court affirmed a verdict against the RN for overpricing the state for advertising kits used by its candidates during the 2012 legislative elections.

Both Le Pen and her party have consistently refuted any illegalities linked to campaign funding. The RN party has chosen not to address the ongoing inquiry.

Concurrently, Le Pen faces a court trial later this year alongside 27 others for alleged misapplication of European Union funds, a charge contested by Le Pen's party.

The investigation, initiated in 2016, aims to uncover whether the then-National Front party inappropriately redirected funds designated for EU parliamentary assistants to remunerate individuals working for the party.