Workers' Protection from Ionizing Radiation: Commission Proposed Directive on Risk Mitigation
The former far-right European Parliament group Identity and Democracy (ID) is currently under intense scrutiny for the alleged misuse of millions of euros in EU funds during the 2019-2024 parliamentary term. Detailed reports have emerged, shedding light on the nature and extent of the alleged financial irregularities.
### Background and Scope of Misuse
The ID group, which included Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) from France, Italy’s League, Alternative for Germany, and other eurosceptic parties, is accused of misusing approximately €4.3 million in operational funds meant for legitimate parliamentary activities. Instead, these funds were reportedly diverted to unauthorized or politically motivated purposes.
An internal audit report, leaked to investigative journalists from German ARD’s Kontraste, France’s Le Monde, and other European media partners, revealed that over €4.3 million was spent on transactions deemed "unjustified and potentially unlawful." Funds were allocated to entities and individuals closely linked to far-right activists and political allies, including companies owned by a former adviser to Marine Le Pen and his wife.
### Key Political Figures and Parties Involved
The ID group's expenditures often violated EU parliamentary rules, which prohibit donations to local charities, national political campaigns, or organizations without a direct relation to EU parliamentary activities. Nonetheless, some funds were used for donations to animal shelters and contracts awarded without transparent procurement processes, often benefiting far-right sympathizers or ideologically aligned groups.
### Previous Related Cases
This scandal follows a decade-long controversy regarding fake European Parliament jobs linked to the RN, which resulted in Marine Le Pen’s conviction and a ban on standing for office for five years. That earlier case involved the embezzlement of around €4.5 million through bogus parliamentary assistant positions.
### Ongoing Investigations and Legal Actions
In July 2025, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) formally opened a criminal investigation into the misuse of funds by the ID group and related parties, including Le Pen's RN and its allies. The probe focuses on potential financial crimes, such as embezzlement and fraudulent use of EU funds.
The European Parliament has stated it will cooperate fully with this investigation, while the far-right factions involved characterize the probe as politically motivated harassment.
### Systemic Concerns
Critics argue that the ID group's misuse of funds reveals deeper systemic vulnerabilities within EU structures that allow far-right groups to exploit public money. The complexity and opacity of parliamentary funding mechanisms have come under scrutiny as enabling such activities.
This case is one of the most significant recent examples of financial irregularities involving far-right groups in the European Parliament, underscoring ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability in EU political funding.
At the time of the October investigation, the EPPO stated that the investigation was only about facts, and there were no suspects. The EPPO is currently investigating donations made without a specific reference to the EU or the work of the group in the parliament, which are generally not permitted under parliamentary rules.
In October, investigators examined allegations of misuse of EU funds in Belgium by members of a faction in the European Parliament. Funds were paid to associations that support stray animals or anti-abortion groups, as well as to companies in the group's environment. The now dissolved ID group included the German AfD and the French Rassemblement National (RN).
The allegations against the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, including Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (RN), Italy's League, Alternative for Germany, and other eurosceptic parties, extend beyond parliamentary activities as millions of euros in EU funds were reportedly misused for unauthorized or politically motivated purposes, such as donations to animal shelters and contracts awarded without transparent procurement processes (business, politics, general-news).
The misuse of funds by the ID group has raised concerns about systemic vulnerabilities within EU structures, with critics arguing that these discrepancies reveal opportunities for far-right groups to exploit public funds (politics, finance). The ongoing investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) aims to clarify the extent of financial crimes, such as embezzlement and fraudulent use of EU funds, involving the ID group and related parties (politics, finance, law).
