Marine Le Pen, AfD, and other extreme right parties in the European Parliament siphoned off over €4 million in taxpayer money to friends and extremist organisations.

Following an internal audit in the European Parliament, it has been revealed today that far-right political parties in the European Parliament diverted millions in EU funding to extremist groups and allies across Europe.

The Left in the European Parliament strongly condemns the actions of the far-right after the revelations that in 80 large money transfers, the Identity and Democracy group made illicit payments to far-right publications, anti-abortion groups and close friends of Marine Le Pen and other far-right leaders. The ID group also awarded hundreds of thousands of euro in contracts to organisations with personal connections to politicians. 

Co-chair of The Left group Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France) said: “While Marine Le Pen is already on trial in France for embezzlement, it has emerged that the National Rally may have misused €4.3 million to fill the pockets of her friends and neo-fascist circles. In front of the cameras, they claim to be defending taxpayers. Behind the scenes, they are stealing from them. This once again shows their true colours and must be strongly condemned. They must return the money immediately.”

Co-chair of The Left group Martin Schirdewan (Die Linke, Germany) said: “The far right in parliament has embezzled millions in taxpayer money — deliberately and criminally. At the same time, they’re trying to defund organizations that defend and strengthen our democracy — all while shifting the blame onto others. Stealing public money, attacking civil society, and pointing fingers elsewhere — that’s the moral compass of the modern right in the 21st century.”

The Left remarks that payments were conveniently made before the Identity and Democracy group dissolved and reformed as the two political groups that make up the extreme right in the European Parliament today. The Left will follow the audit closely in the Budgetary Control Committee of the European Parliament later this year.