The headquarters of France’s right-wing National Rally party was searched by police on Wednesday morning in Paris, an event described by the party’s leader as a “spectacular and unprecedented” act of harassment. According to National Rally President Jordan Bardella, around twenty officers from the Financial Brigade, equipped with bulletproof vests and accompanied by two investigating judges, conducted the search. Bardella criticized the operation as a serious attack on political pluralism and democratic change, noting that no opposition party has faced such persistent scrutiny under the Fifth Republic.

The investigation focuses on allegations of illegal financing related to Marine Le Pen’s 2022 presidential campaign, as well as the party’s European Parliament and French parliamentary campaigns. Prosecutors are examining whether these campaigns were funded through illegal loans from individuals benefiting the party or its candidates. The inquiry also explores claims that the National Rally may have overbilled or billed for fictitious services to inflate state aid for its electoral activities.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that searches were conducted not only at the National Rally’s headquarters but also at the offices of unidentified companies and the homes of their leaders. This judicial inquiry, initiated a year ago, investigates allegations including fraud, money laundering, and forgery. Despite these serious accusations, no charges have been filed in this case so far.

This development follows Marine Le Pen’s conviction for embezzlement in April, where she and 24 other party officials were found guilty of misusing funds intended for European Union parliamentary aides between 2004 and 2016. These funds were allegedly redirected to pay party staff, violating EU regulations. Former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just has publicly stated that the party has done nothing wrong.