Prosecutors probe use of EU funds by former parliament group

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said on Tuesday it was carrying out investigative measures in France and other European countries as part of a probe into the use of EU funds by a former political group in the European Parliament.

Jordan Bardella, head of France’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN), wrote on X that searches had been under way since Tuesday morning at the premises and homes of communications service providers that had worked with the party.

Bardella said the party had done nothing wrong and would prove it.

An EPPO spokeswoman said the measures were part of an ongoing investigation into the use of EU funds by a former European Parliament group between 2019 and 2024.

She did not say which group was involved or which countries were affected, adding that no further details would be released for now to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing proceedings.

Newspaper Le Monde reported searches in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain in connection with possible misuse of EU funds by the former Identity and Democracy (ID) group.

The right-wing nationalist group existed from 2019 to 2024 and included the RN, Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ) and Italy’s Lega.

European Parliament auditors later concluded that ID members had misused at least €4.3 million ($4.9 million) in EU funds during the previous legislative term.

According to their report, money flowed to companies close to the group and to associations supporting anti-abortion campaigners.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates crimes affecting the EU’s financial interests.