Right-Wing EU Group Accused of Misusing Funds

The right-wing EU parliamentary group "Patriots for Europe" (PfE) is facing allegations of illegally using EU funds, with an internal audit revealing approximately 277,000 euros were misused in the latter half of 2024. The group, which is largely composed of members from France's National Rally (RN) and led by Jordan Bardella, Marine Le Pen's political protégé, reportedly violated regulations concerning donations and procurement procedures. These alleged violations include channeling funds to seemingly unrelated organizations, such as a futsal promotion club in Martinique and a quad club in Guadeloupe.

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The PfE violated regulations concerning donations and procurement procedures, for example by giving funds to an association for the promotion of futsal in Martinique or a quad club in Guadeloupe.

The audit, detailed in documents obtained by the German Press Agency, indicates that the PfE has already taken steps to address the findings by creating a provision in its 2025 financial report for the disputed expenses, which would facilitate the repayment of the funds. The next step involves a vote by the EU Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control, potentially on Wednesday, to decide on a course of action.

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The repayment of the money is not enough: the European Public Prosecutor's Office should investigate and clarify what exactly happened to the money.

However, some lawmakers are pushing for a more thorough investigation. Green Party MEP Daniel Freund, a member of the budget control committee, stated that the violations were not accidental and that simply repaying the money is insufficient. Freund called for the European Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate the matter fully and impose effective sanctions, emphasizing the need to end "this culture of fraud."

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There must be effective sanctions against those responsible.

The PfE, in a statement on X, rejected "any premature conclusions" and asserted that the proceedings are ongoing. The group maintained its cooperation throughout the process and claimed to be subject to stricter scrutiny than other factions. The PfE includes parties such as Hungary's Fidesz and Austria's FPÖ, and currently constitutes the third-largest group in the European Parliament with 85 members. Notably, some of these parties were previously part of the now-dissolved right-nationalist ID faction, which is also under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office for alleged misuse of approximately 4.3 million euros in EU funds during the previous legislative period.

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This culture of fraud must end.