France’s Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds

Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has denied violating any rules as she and her National Rally party and two dozen others went on trial accused of embezzling European Parliament funds. On Monday, as she arrived at the court in Paris, Le Pen said “we have not violated any political and regulatory rules of the European Parliament” and vowed to present “extremely serious and extremely solid arguments″ in the trial.” The case has the potential to derail her political ambitions. The nine-week trial will be closely watched by Le Pen’s political rivals as she remains a strong contender in the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron when the next presidential election takes place in 2027.