Marine Le Pen felt it was necessary to take control of the situation. At the trial, the former leader of the National Rally (RN) stated, “I often felt that your opinion was already formed. There are those before you who speak with conviction, and others who are unheard.” After seventeen days of hearings in the trial of FN parliamentary assistants, there was a strong impression of unbelievable statements and clumsy lies. Marine Le Pen, who had previously been accused of misusing public funds for employing her bodyguard, sister, secretary, and her father’s secretary in Strasbourg, was now being accused of being an accomplice to the embezzlement, as she led the party from 2011 to 2021.
On November 5th, Marine Le Pen, who had been eagerly awaiting her turn, took the stand as a “complice” of the embezzlement scheme. She presented her perspective on the case for an hour and a half, responding to the court with energy and a well-constructed argument. She challenged the prosecution’s claims by pointing out that only a few suspicious emails out of thousands were being used as evidence to suggest the existence of a fraudulent system, which she denied organizing after her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. She defended the practice of “mutualisation,” where assistants work for multiple deputies, arguing that it was necessary due to the increased number of FN members in 2014.
Further, she addressed the issue of “centralization,” where most FN deputies delegated authority to a single assistant to manage administrative tasks and finances. She asserted that this was a common practice in their party culture and had not been questioned by the European Parliament. Marine Le Pen maintained her defense, emphasizing that the delegation of authority and the involvement of a cabinet comptable were not suspicious activities. She asserted her innocence by challenging the prosecution’s allegations of her involvement in orchestrating a fraudulent system within the party.
Throughout the trial, Marine Le Pen maintained her composure and presented a strong defense, refuting the accusations of complicity in the embezzlement scheme. She highlighted the practical reasons behind the delegation of tasks and authority within the party, arguing that it was not uncommon or illegal. Despite the intense scrutiny and challenging questioning from the court, she stood her ground and defended her actions as party leader. Marine Le Pen’s testimony revealed a determined and confident attitude as she faced the allegations with conviction and a well-prepared argument.
In conclusion, Marine Le Pen’s appearance at the trial of FN parliamentary assistants was marked by her resolute defense against accusations of complicity in embezzlement. She presented a strong argument, emphasizing the practical reasons behind the delegation of tasks and authority within the party. Despite facing intense scrutiny and challenging questioning, she maintained her composure and argued her case with conviction. Marine Le Pen’s testimony highlighted her determination and confidence in refuting the allegations brought against her, demonstrating her readiness to confront and defend her actions as party leader.
