FRENCH PROSECUTORS PROBE LE PEN'S 2022 CAMPAIGN FUNDING -- REPORTS

MOSCOW, July 9 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- The prosecutor's office in Paris has launched an investigation into the right-wing National Rally's Marine Le Pen on suspicion of funding irregularities in her 2022 presidential campaign, French media reported on Tuesday, according to Sputnik.

The probe was launched following a complaint by the French National Commission on Campaign Accounts and Financing (CNCCFP), which suspected other presidential candidates of illegal campaign financing but went only after Le Pen, BFMTV news channel reported, citing sources.

French law prohibits candidates from exceeding the established spending limit during election campaigns and provides reimbursement of campaign expenses if necessary conditions are met. Otherwise, the CNCCFP can make changes to the electoral accounts, reduce the amount of compensation and, if necessary, flag the case for investigation.

Le Pen said that her presidential campaign cost between 800,000 euros (US$865,912) and 1 million euros (US$1.1 million), and was entirely funded by the party, while the French government had the obligation to cover the interest on loans taken by political parties during elections.

The 2022 presidential election took place in two rounds in April 2022. Incumbent Emmanuel Macron won the runoff after securing 58.55 per cent of the vote, while Le Pen won 41.45 per cent. The French president is elected every five years. The next election is due in 2027.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK