BRUSSELS

The now-defunct far-right Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament, of which French politician Marine Le Pen's National Rally was a member, allegedly misused €4.3 million ($5 million) of EU funds between 2019 and 2024, according to a confidential financial report cited by European media.

French daily Le Monde, Germany’s Die Zeit, Austria's Falter, and the Kontraste TV program reported that EU funds were spent on fictitious contracts, irregular tenders, and associations unrelated to parliamentary work but linked to far-right figures close to Le Pen.

According to data cited by media outlets from a confidential financial report by the European Parliament, the Identity and Democracy group made €4.3 million ($5 million) in irregular expenditures from the Parliament's budget during the previous legislative term. Most of the funds allegedly benefited activists with close ties to Le Pen.

Philip Claeys, former secretary general of the ID group, denied wrongdoing, stating all payments were “duly invoiced and justified.”

A European Parliament spokesperson, Delphine Colard, told Anadolu it is premature to comment, since the group ceased operations in July 2024 and its financial accounts are still being reviewed.

The Parliament's budget committee may refer the case to the EU's anti-fraud office and possibly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which investigates serious financial crimes involving EU funds.

Le Pen was previously found guilty by a French court in March of misusing EU funds for fake parliamentary jobs during her time as a member of the European Parliament.

The ID group ceased to exist in July 2024, at the end of the 9th parliamentary term (2019-2024).