During the ongoing trial concerning alleged misuse of European Parliament funds by members of the National Rally party, prosecutors criticized the defendants’ inconsistent narratives and collective defense strategy. The European Parliament’s lawyer, Patrick Maisonneuve, pointed to a systematic operation from 2004 to 2016 that misappropriated approximately €4.5 million intended for parliamentary assistants. He argued that the defendants relied on implausible explanations and a culture of collective denial, echoing claims made by their leader, Marine Le Pen. The Parliament seeks a total of €3.4 million in reparations, alongside an additional €300,000 for moral damages.

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