French judges to European Parliament: lift Le Pen’s immunity
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PARIS — French investigators are asking the European Parliament to lift far-right EU lawmaker Marine Le Pen’s immunity so that she can face possible prosecution over suspected misuse of parliamentary salaries.
Le Pen, a leading candidate in France’s two-round presidential election on April 23 and May 7, calls the investigation unfounded and an effort to poison her presidential bid. She enjoys immunity from prosecution as a European Parliament member.
The case concerns accusations that Le Pen and others in her anti-immigration National Front party used parliamentary aides for party activity while they were on EU-financed salaries. A top Le Pen aide was charged in the case with receiving money through a breach of trust.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said Friday that investigating judges issued the request to lift Le Pen’s immunity, and it was being transmitted by the French government to the European Parliament. The parliament did not comment on the move Friday but several procedural steps are still required before the legislature might hold a vote on it.
