Paris prosecutors probing Marine Le Pen's 2022 campaign finances

Prosecutors in Paris are investigating the far-right nationalist politician Marine Le Pen's 2022 presidential election campaign on suspicion of illegal campaign financing, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

French media previously reported that authorities suspect there may be evidence of fraud, forgery and misappropriation of assets by persons holding public office.

Allegations in connection with the acceptance of a loan by a candidate are also being investigated.

It is not yet known exactly what is involved. An investigating judge has now been leading the further investigations for around a week.

According to the public prosecutor's office, the investigation stems from a 2023 report from France's National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing.

In France, campaign spending is capped in order to create more equal opportunities between candidates, and parties and candidates are required to account for campaign finances.

Alleged violations of the rules have regularly led to complaints from the relevant authorities.

Le Pen and her far-right nationalist National Rally (RN) again lost her bid for the presidency in 2022 against the current incumbent Emmanuel Macron.

In the final parliamentary election held last Sunday, the RN surprisingly only placed third despite strong showings in the earlier first round of voting, but achieved its strongest result to date.