### Marine Le Pen Defends Against Allegations of Illegal Party Funding

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen responded robustly in court on Monday to allegations concerning the misuse of European Parliament funds by members of her National Rally (RN) party. Le Pen, alongside more than 20 senior party figures, faces accusations that parliamentary assistants, funded by Brussels, were assigned party tasks rather than parliamentary duties.

Le Pen defended the roles of these assistants, arguing that their involvement in politics was intrinsic to their job and not a deviation from their parliamentary responsibilities. She stated, "Assistants work for their deputies, enlarging their ideas. It's because they're interested in politics."

Prosecutors contend that Le Pen orchestrated a systematic channeling of EU funds to pay RN party workers’ salaries. This scheme allegedly saw staff, including Le Pen’s bodyguard and a publicity department graphic designer, listed as EU parliamentary assistants in Brussels, despite their limited presence and role there.

The court scrutinized the case of Catherine Griset, Le Pen's long-time personal assistant, who was accredited in Brussels but reportedly logged only 12 hours at the parliamentary building between August 2014 and October 2015. Le Pen dismissed these allegations, suggesting a fundamental misunderstanding of political work and comparing the European Parliament to "The Blob," a 1958 film about a world-devouring amoeba.

As a lawyer herself, Le Pen vowed to attend the trial, which is expected to continue until late November. She emphasized the heightened political stakes, noting her party’s potential to destabilize the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his fragile support base within the National Assembly.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, Le Pen remains defiant. A guilty verdict might hinder her political trajectory, possibly resulting in prison, a hefty fine, or disqualification from public office for five years, jeopardizing her 2027 presidential bid. However, she believes the issue highlights her opposition to the political establishment, possibly strengthening her support base among certain voters.

Ultimately, while some speculate that a conviction could tarnish her appeal to moderate voters, others argue it might reinforce her image as a populist outsider fighting against the status quo.