Brussels: The European Parliament is seeking $3.74 million in damages from France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, following its leader Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzling EU funds, the French broadcaster BFMTV reported on Tuesday. The parliament's compensation request follows Le Pen's conviction for misappropriating EU funds, a case that has significant implications for her political career as she aims for the French presidency in 2027.

According to Anadolu Agency, the requested amount of $3.74 million, equivalent to pound 3.5 million, corresponds to the total funds paid to assistants of RN Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) over several years. The funds were reportedly used improperly, contributing to Le Pen's legal troubles.

Le Pen, who was convicted on March 31 for corruption, faced additional political consequences as she was disqualified from her position as a Pas-de-Calais departmental councilor on April 18. On Monday, Le Pen filed an appeal with the Lille Administrative Court to contest her removal from the council. She had secured her position in the Pas-de-Calais Departmental Council in 2021.

The National Rally leader was found guilty of diverting European Parliament funds to compensate party staff for work unrelated to parliamentary duties. In addition to her ban from politics for five years, Le Pen was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two to be served under electronic surveillance. She was also fined pound 100,000.