EU prosecutors raid far-right Patriots for Europe offices in graft probe

European Public Prosecutor's Office searches Brussels and Strasbourg premises as part of investigation into alleged misuse of €4.3 million by defunct Identity and Democracy group

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources4 outlets

EU anti-fraud prosecutors searched the administrative offices of the far-right Patriots for Europe group in Brussels and Strasbourg on Wednesday, confirming an ongoing probe into alleged misuse of European funds by the bloc's predecessor, the Identity and Democracy group.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) carried out searches at the offices of the Patriots for Europe group, the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament, as part of an investigation into the now-defunct Identity and Democracy (ID) group.

The Patriots for Europe group said the searches had been underway "since this morning" and were linked to a complaint against ID, which was dissolved after the 2024 European elections. The group claimed it had no "legal continuity" with ID and was not involved in the investigation.

The EPPO confirmed the searches, stating they were part of "an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group." It declined further comment to avoid endangering proceedings.

A parliamentary report cited by media outlets last year alleged ID was suspected of improperly spending €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024, with most of the money going to an adviser of Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader and presidential frontrunner, and to his wife. The EPPO announced a formal investigation in July 2025.

Jean-Paul Garraud, head of the French National Rally delegation in the European Parliament, criticised the timing of the searches, writing on X: "While the streets of France are tipping into chaos, the authorities' priority appears to be this," in reference to ongoing violent protests in France.

The Patriots for Europe group succeeded ID after the 2024 elections and includes parties such as France's National Rally and Italy's League.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The probe targets the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament, potentially affecting far-right influence in EU politics.
It raises questions about oversight of EU funds and the accountability of political groups after restructuring.
The outcome could impact the 2027 French presidential election if Marine Le Pen's party is implicated further.

Background

The Identity and Democracy group operated from 2019 to 2024, uniting far-right parties including France's National Rally, Italy's League, and Germany's Alternative for Germany. Following the 2024 European elections, it was dissolved and replaced by the Patriots for Europe group. The EPPO investigation began after a parliamentary report alleged €4.3 million in improper spending, much of it directed to a Le Pen adviser and his wife. Previous raids occurred in June 2025 across several countries.

Key Perspectives

Patriots for Europe: The group denies any legal continuity with the ID group and claims it is not involved in the probe. It portrays the searches as a politically motivated distraction from France's domestic unrest. European Public Prosecutor's Office: The EPPO confirms the searches as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged misuse of EU funds by a former political group. It is not commenting further to protect proceedings. Critics of far-right spending: The alleged misappropriation of nearly €4.3 million of taxpayer funds highlights potential abuse within the European Parliament. The investigation may expose broader patterns of financial misconduct among far-right delegations.

What to Watch

Whether the EPPO brings formal charges against individuals named in the parliamentary report, including the Le Pen adviser and his wife.
Any political fallout for the Patriots for Europe group, which could lose funding or influence if the investigation widens.
The response from EU member states, particularly France and Italy, as the probe touches their major far-right parties.

Sources

Raids at far-right group's offices at European Parliament · DW English
Prosecutor searches far-right group offices in EU Parliament · Politico Europe
Prosecutors search European Parliament offices of far-right Patriots bloc in graft probe · France 24 Europe
EU prosecutors raid far-right group's offices in €4 million funds scandal · Euronews

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says EU prosecutors raided Patriots for Europe offices as part of a graft probe.France 24 Europe: “The far-right European Parliament group of French presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen ’s party said Wednesday EU prosecutors were searching its offices as part of a graft probe into its now-defunct predecessor.”
SupportedEPPO searched administrative offices in Brussels and Strasbourg on Wednesday.Euronews: “The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) raided the offices of the far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE) group in Brussels and Strasbourg on Wednesday”
SupportedEPPO said the searches were part of an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group.France 24 Europe: “The EPPO confirmed the searches, saying they were part of “ an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group”.”
SupportedThe group said searches had been underway “since this morning.”France 24 Europe: “The Patriots for Europe group said the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) had been searching its administrative offices in Brussels and Strasbourg “since this morning”.”
Partly supportedThe group said the searches were linked to a complaint against ID.France 24 Europe: ““It would appear that these searches are linked to the complaint lodged against the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, which dissolved in 2024,” the group said”
SupportedThe group said it had no “legal continuity” with ID and was not involved in the investigation.France 24 Europe: ““It would appear that these searches are linked to the complaint lodged against the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, which dissolved in 2024,” the group said, adding it had no “legal continuity” with ID and was not involved in the ongoing investigation.”
SupportedA parliamentary report said ID was suspected of improperly spending €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024.France 24 Europe: “The EU prosecutor announced formal investigations in July last year after media quoted a parliamentary report as saying ID was suspected of improperly spending €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024.”
SupportedMost of the money went to an adviser of Marine Le Pen and his wife, according to the report.France 24 Europe: “Most of this money went to an adviser of Marine Le Pen, and to his wife, according to that report.”
SupportedEPPO announced a formal investigation in July 2025.France 24 Europe: “The EU prosecutor announced formal investigations in July last year”
SupportedJean-Paul Garraud, head of the French National Rally delegation in the European Parliament, wrote: “While the streets of France are tipping into chaos, the authorities' priority appears to be this,”France 24 Europe: “RN’s delegation head Jean-Paul Garraud said the searches targeted the offices of former ID staff members. “While the streets of France are tipping into chaos, the authorities’ priority appears to be this,” Garraud lamented on X”
Partly supportedGarraud was referring to ongoing violent protests in France.France 24 Europe: “Garraud lamented on X, referring to the wave of violent protests that has swept the country.”
SupportedPatriots for Europe is the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament.France 24 Europe: “ID was formally disbanded after elections in 2024 and was succeeded by the Patriots for Europe group, now the third-largest bloc in the EU legislature.”

Correction

21 October 2026An earlier version of this story listed the Alternative for Germany as a member of Patriots for Europe. It is not a member and was not invited to join the group.