The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) carried out searches on Wednesday at the offices of the far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE) group in both Brussels and Strasbourg, as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected misuse of millions of euros in European Union funds.
The raids, which took place at the European Parliament’s two main seats, are connected to a probe into the now-defunct Identity and Democracy (ID) group, according to a Parliament spokesperson. The EPPO has been investigating since last July the alleged misappropriation of EU money by ID between 2019 and 2024.
PfE, which includes France’s National Rally led by Marine Le Pen, Italy’s Lega under Matteo Salvini, and Hungary’s Fidesz headed by Viktor Orbán, could be forced to repay more than €4 million that its predecessor allegedly misspent. The group, however, insists it has no legal continuity with ID and is therefore not part of the investigation.
“It would appear that these searches are linked to the complaint lodged against the Identity and Democracy group, which dissolved in 2024,” PfE said in a statement, adding that it is “not involved in the ongoing investigation.”
Neither the EPPO nor the Parliament has released further details about the searches. The Parliament’s press service said it “cooperates with relevant authorities” and had no additional comment.
Jean-Paul Garraud, an MEP who leads the National Rally delegation in the Parliament, wrote on X that the searches targeted “the offices of former ID staff members.”
Successor liability
The ID group brought together MEPs from far-right parties such as France’s National Rally, Italy’s Lega, and the Alternative for Germany (AfD). After the 2024 European elections, ID dissolved, and many of its member parties went on to form PfE, which also includes newcomers like Spain’s Vox and Hungary’s Fidesz.
Under Parliament’s rules, a political group can be treated as the “successor” of a dissolved one if certain conditions are met, making it liable for any remaining debt. An opinion approved by the Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) last September argued that EU funds wrongly spent by ID should be repaid by PfE once the investigation concludes.
The raids come at a sensitive time for PfE, which has been seeking to consolidate its position as a major force in European politics. The group’s leaders have often criticised EU institutions for what they call political bias, but the EPPO’s actions are part of a broader crackdown on misuse of EU funds across the political spectrum.
This is not the first time far-right groups have faced scrutiny over EU money. In recent years, several MEPs and parties have been investigated for irregular spending, including on campaign materials and personal expenses. The EPPO, which became operational in 2021, has been increasingly active in pursuing fraud cases involving EU funds.
The outcome of the investigation could have significant financial and political implications for PfE. If the group is deemed the successor of ID, it may have to repay the €4 million, a sum that could strain its resources. Moreover, the scandal could tarnish the image of parties that have campaigned on anti-corruption platforms.
As the investigation continues, observers will be watching whether the EPPO’s findings lead to formal charges or whether PfE can successfully argue that it bears no responsibility for the actions of its predecessor. For now, the group maintains its innocence, but the searches signal that EU authorities are determined to hold political groups accountable for how they spend public money.
