Jean-Marie Le Pen (95) has been placed “under legal protection”, announced vice-president of the far-right RN party Louis Aliot. This casts doubts on his participation in a trial scheduled for autumn.
Le Pen was subject to a future protection mandate in mid-February, his lawyer confirmed. This civil arrangement, similar to a guardianship, was triggered by a family request after a medical examination determined Le Pen’s incapacity.
His three daughters – Marie-Caroline, Yann and Marine Le Pen – are his representatives and have authority to conduct various actions on his behalf, either individually or collectively.
Le Pen’s health has significantly deteriorated since a cardiac incident in April 2023, according to several close sources.
There are now questions about his ability to appear at his trial for embezzling EU funds. The case, due to be heard in Autumn, will see leading RN party members, including Le Pen and his daughter Marine, tried for a scheme that wrongfully used EU funds to pay the salaries of parliamentary assistants of RN MEPs.
Those found guilty could face up to ten years imprisonment and fines totalling up to one million euros, or “double the proceeds of the crime.” But Aliot argues that the health of the 95-year-old party founder will mean that he cannot participate in the proceedings. “I believe the court will have to announce a measure acknowledging he can neither attend, testify nor participate in this trial,” noted Aliot. A decision is expected in early July.
