Thierry Légié, former bodyguard of Jean-Marie Le Pen, appeared in court in Paris on October 7, 2024. Alongside him was Micheline Bruna, the personal secretary of Le Pen. They were the least parliamentary of all the parliamentary assistants in the trial of assistants of the National Front at the European Parliament. They both did their best to maintain a presence in Strasbourg while remaining loyal to Le Pen, but the court seemed convinced that Le Pen had them sign fake contracts to ensure they received a salary at the expense of taxpayers. Despite signing these contracts, they faced accusations that they were complicit in actions that were detrimental to the party’s reputation.
Ironically, the European Parliament member to whom they were assigned, Fernand Le Rachinel, has repeatedly stated that they never worked for him. He claims that the system was already in place when he took office, and he signed the contracts in good faith without realizing the illegalities involved. Le Rachinel expressed his desire for genuine assistants and blamed Jean-Marie Le Pen for making all the decisions. His testimony within the RN caused backlash, with Marine Le Pen even condemning his statements. Le Rachinel, however, remains unfazed by the criticism, having had a long and varied career as an entrepreneur and politician.
Le Rachinel had been involved with Jean-Marie Le Pen since 1979 and was the FN’s printer from 1984 onwards. Despite the party owing him a substantial sum of money, he supported Le Pen financially for the 2007 presidential election and later lent money to the party itself. However, he had to resort to legal action to reclaim his debts and was only reimbursed in 2012. Dissatisfied with the party, he left in 2008 and aligned himself with the Parti de la France, a fringe group to the right of the National Rally. He shared his experiences and insights in court, shedding light on the inner workings and power dynamics within the far-right political sphere.
The trial of the assistants at the European Parliament has raised questions about political practices and accountability within the National Front. The testimonies of figures like Thierry Légié and Micheline Bruna reveal a reluctance to challenge the decisions of party leaders, even at the expense of ethical and legal considerations. The involvement of individuals like Fernand Le Rachinel highlights the complex relationships and power dynamics within political organizations, and the challenges faced by those who wish to uphold integrity and transparency. The legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the importance of accountability and integrity in political institutions, and the need for reforms to prevent abuses of power.
