Raids at far-right group's offices at European Parliament

Investigators searched administrative offices inside the European Parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg. The searches matter because they concern the possible misuse of money from the EU budget by a former parliamentary group. Such funds are public money, so suspected wrongdoing can trigger scrutiny across several countries.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office, or EPPO, said it searched premises in France and Belgium. It described the action as part of an ongoing investigation into the use of EU funds by a former European Parliament group. PfE linked the searches to a complaint involving the dissolved Identity and Democracy Group, which existed from 2019 to 2024.

EPPO did not identify the group or release more details. It said further disclosure could compromise the investigation. PfE said its offices were involved in the activity but insisted the searches concerned staff offices from the former ID group, not the current alliance.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is an independent body responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against the EU budget. The article gives corruption and misuse of EU funds as examples. Its role matters because EU money comes from public resources and is intended for approved purposes.

In this case, EPPO searched premises in France and Belgium. It said the action formed part of an ongoing investigation into EU funds used by a former European Parliament group. The office did not identify the group involved. It also withheld further details to avoid compromising the investigation.

EPPO’s involvement shows that suspected misuse can cross national borders and require an EU-level response. The article does not say whether charges will follow. Investigators must first establish what happened, who was responsible, and whether the spending broke rules or constituted a crime.

European Parliament auditors concluded that members of the former Identity and Democracy Group had misused at least €4.3 million in EU funds. That figure gives the investigation a substantial financial scale. It also explains why the spending has drawn attention from Parliament auditors and European prosecutors.

According to the auditors’ report, the money flowed to companies close to the group and to associations supporting anti-abortion campaigners. The ID group operated for one parliamentary term, from 2019 to 2024. It included France’s National Rally, Germany’s AfD, Austria’s Freedom Party, and Italy’s Lega, among others.

The €4.3 million is an auditors’ conclusion, not a statement that every allegation has been finally proved in court. EPPO’s investigation remains ongoing. The office has not identified the group publicly in its statement or explained whether the inquiry will lead to charges, repayments, or other action.

Patriots for Europe says it is not legally responsible because it claims there is “no legal continuity” between PfE and the dissolved Identity and Democracy Group. This distinction matters because legal responsibility usually depends on the entity involved, its conduct, and the rules governing succession or liability.

PfE formed after the 2024 European Parliament elections from the remains of ID, with some members changing. France’s National Rally, Austria’s Freedom Party, and Italy’s Lega joined PfE, while Germany’s AfD did not. Even so, PfE’s constituent parties are largely the same, which makes the political connection important.

The claim is PfE’s position, not a final legal ruling. EPPO has not publicly identified the group in its investigation and has released few details. Investigators or courts would determine whether any legal responsibility extends beyond former group structures or individuals involved in the alleged spending.

If investigators or courts establish that EU funds were improperly used, those responsible could face legal proceedings and demands to return money. Depending on the evidence and applicable rules, consequences may include criminal charges, convictions, financial penalties, or recovery of improperly spent funds. These are general possibilities, not outcomes announced in this case.

The article gives one concrete warning sign: Parliament auditors concluded that at least €4.3 million had been misused by members of the former ID Group. They said money flowed to companies close to the group and associations supporting anti-abortion campaigners. EPPO then searched premises in France and Belgium as part of its investigation.

No final court finding is reported. EPPO has not identified the group involved or disclosed further details because it fears compromising the inquiry. Therefore, the immediate consequence is continued investigation, while any repayment, prosecution, or punishment would depend on later findings and legal decisions.

Patriots for Europe has 85 seats in the 719-seat European Parliament. That makes it the third-largest political group, but it is far behind the European People’s Party with 184 seats and the Socialists and Democrats with 135. The figures show both PfE’s influence and its distance from the chamber’s largest forces.

The Parliament relies heavily on political groups. They bring together parties from different member states that share broadly comparable policy positions and political alignment. PfE includes parties such as France’s National Rally, Austria’s Freedom Party, and Italy’s Lega. Germany’s AfD instead belongs mainly to the smaller Europe of Sovereign Nations group.

Group size can affect political visibility and collective influence, although the article does not detail specific voting or committee rules. PfE’s 85 seats give it a substantial platform. Its position as a distant third also means the larger groups remain considerably bigger in the 719-seat chamber.

The European Parliament operates through political groups that unite parties with broadly comparable positions. Public money from the EU budget can support parliamentary group activity, but spending must follow the relevant rules. Oversight matters because the funds ultimately come from public resources and misuse can become a criminal matter.

The article provides a clear example of the control chain. Parliament auditors reviewed spending by the former Identity and Democracy Group and concluded that at least €4.3 million had been misused. EPPO then searched premises in France and Belgium because it investigates and prosecutes crimes against the EU budget, including suspected corruption or misuse.

The source does not describe the detailed process for allocating, recording, approving, or recovering group funds. It does show that financial review can lead to a cross-border criminal investigation. The next steps depend on EPPO’s findings, while any legal responsibility or repayment would require later decisions by competent authorities.