European politicians caught breaking same rules as Le Pen

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Reports indicate that over 100 European politicians allegedly broke the same rules that led to Marine Le Pen’s controversial ban from the French presidential election, raising questions about selective enforcement and double standards.

The Paris court’s decision to impose a five-year election ban on the National Rally leader came after she was found guilty of misappropriating European Union funds meant for parliamentary operations to support political activities in France.

The funds in question were part of standard EU allocations provided to Members of the European Parliament for staffing and operational costs in Strasbourg and Brussels. The issue arose when these funds were allegedly redirected to support party activities beyond the EU parliament’s scope.

Putin is a dictator?

Meanwhile in Europe:

France 🇫🇷: Marine Le Pen sentenced and barred from running in the elections.
Romania 🇷🇴: Elections canceled, winning candidate arrested and imprisoned.
Germany 🇩🇪: Preparations for a similar scenario against the AfD party.
Slovakia 🇸🇰:… pic.twitter.com/gTp0To4U4p

— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) March 31, 2025

An investigation by Follow the Money revealed that between 2019 and 2022, approximately one-fifth of MEPs – 139 members – violated similar funding regulations. Despite this widespread issue, Eva Kaili, a Greek socialist and former European Parliament Vice-President, was the only other MEP to face formal investigation during this period, primarily due to her alleged involvement in the Qatar-gate scandal.

The remaining 138 MEPs who broke the rules were simply asked to return the misused funds, avoiding criminal charges. This disparity in treatment has led to accusations that enforcement targets politicians who criticize the European Union.

Former BBC journalist Michael Crick, speaking on Times Radio, offered insight into what he described as an open secret within EU politics.

“Everybody in the European Parliament was at it, they all knew each other were at it, so they didn’t complain because they would be complained against themselves, so everybody turned a blind eye and the European Parliament as an institution was reluctant to do anything about it because it would go public and undermine the institution of Europe and all that,” he said.

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“I am in favour of the European Union, I wish we [the UK] were back in there, but I have to say that if you are a Eurosceptic, you are more likely to fall afoul of all this than if you were a pro-European. The system is unfair and, frankly, there must be hundreds of MEPs and former MEPs saying quietly to themselves ‘I’m not sure if she [Le Pen] has done any worse than I,” Crick remarked.

The case of François Bayrou, France’s current Prime Minister and a pro-EU politician, presents a striking contrast. Despite facing similar allegations, Bayrou was acquitted last year while other members of his Democratic Movement party were found guilty. Prosecutors in his case recommended a shorter three-year election ban, and the court ultimately dismissed all charges.

Le Pen denounced the court’s decision as reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, particularly criticizing the implementation of the ban during the appeal process – an unusual departure from French legal tradition of presuming innocence during appeals. She has committed to challenging the ruling, though the timeline for appeal resolution before the 2027 presidential election remains uncertain, and she faces significant challenges in France’s predominantly left-leaning court system.