The EU’s General Court on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, supported a decision by the European Parliament (EP) requiring the estate of the late French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen to repay 303,200 euros—about $352,380—for expenses he wrongly claimed while serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1984 to 2019.
Le Pen, who died in January 2025 at 96, had started this legal fight in January 2024. After his passing, his daughters Yann and Marie-Caroline, along with his granddaughter Marion, carried on the case.
Why the Dispute Happened
Le Pen, known for founding the National Front (later renamed National Rally or NR), believed the repayment order was unfair.
He argued it violated his legal rights, including the expectation of fair treatment and a proper trial, since the money was listed as official MEP expenses.
However, the Court disagreed. It found that the EP followed the correct process by informing Le Pen, giving him a chance to explain, and determining his expense claims were not valid.
The Court also noted that fair trial protections don’t apply to administrative actions like this.
What This Means Going Forward
The National Rally party hasn’t yet commented on the ruling.
This decision strengthens the EP’s ability to monitor and reclaim misused funds from its members.
It could also influence how similar cases against former lawmakers are handled in the future.
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