in Brussels, all MEPs are now briefed on the employment of their parliamentary assistants

Monday, September 30, the trial of Marine Le Pen, her father Jean-Marie, in uncertain health, and 25 other people from the National Rally (RN) begins before the Paris criminal court accused of embezzlement. European public. This is the case of parliamentary assistants paid by the European Parliament, accused of having actually worked for the party in France. The facts date back to the years 2012-2017, when the RN was still the FN. MEPs are now more concerned about respecting the rules.

They won’t be able to say they weren’t warned. Upon their arrival in July, the new MEPs were entitled to briefings on the employment of their parliamentary assistants. Particularly on their missions, which must remain strictly European.

Instruction followed to the letter by MEP Nathalie Loiseau, from the centrist and liberal Renew group, who is in her second term. “There is an absolute wall of fire between the activities that we can have for the European Parliament, to prepare amendments, speeches, conferences, and what we can do elsewhere at national or local level in political matters, she explains. I am involved in the Horizons political party.”

“What I do for this party, I do it myself and I do it outside the hours that I devote to my European mandate. And I do not ask my parliamentary assistants to do it for me.”

Nathalie Loiseau, Renew MEP

at franceinfo

In the event of a suspected breach, the European Parliament reserves the right to make a report to the European Anti-Fraud Office, and in the event of a lawsuit, to become a civil party. Amounts unduly received can be claimed from MEPs, even after the end of their mandate.