European political roundup: Le Pen's campaign, EP investigation, and liberals' congress
Marine Le Pen's presidential bid dashes EU hopes for a Meloni-like successor. Meanwhile, the European Parliament investigates alleged improper spending by Jordan Bardella's Patriots group, and the EPP expels Slovenian politician over far-right cooperation.
Marine Le Pen's entry into the French presidential race has shattered Brussels' hopes that the far-right National Rally could evolve into a more constructive force akin to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Insider circles had quietly viewed Jordan Bardella as the less disruptive of the party's two leading figures.
Regardless of Le Pen's outcome, her party's legal troubles are just beginning. The European Parliament is investigating alleged improper spending by Bardella's Patriots group.
The congress of Europe's third-largest political family, the European liberals, has concluded, and POLITICO takes a look at the successes and failures as the dust settles.
The European People's Party (EPP) has decided to expel Slovenia's Branko Grims over 'cooperation with the far right'. Grims co-organized an event with far-right lawmakers, vowing to bring down the cordon sanitaire.
