Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, is currently on trial for alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds, with the proceedings beginning on October 14.

The trial focuses on accusations of misusing funds intended for parliamentary assistants, which Le Pen defends as politically motivated.

During her testimony, Le Pen claimed she has committed no irregularities or illegal acts, asserting her innocence and confidence in her defense.

She faced scrutiny over her vague responses regarding the selection and tasks of her parliamentary aides, attributing this to the time elapsed since the events.

Prosecutors allege that many of the assistants did not fulfill parliamentary duties and were primarily engaged in party work.

The ongoing trial examines the employment practices of the National Rally and their compliance with EU regulations.

Evidence presented in court indicated that one of her aides, Catherine Griset, logged only about a dozen hours in Parliament over a year, contradicting Le Pen's claims.

Le Pen insisted that she and her aides did not use badge access at the Parliament, a claim disputed by officials who noted that all others were required to badge in.

Despite the allegations, Le Pen maintains that the regulations regarding residency in Brussels were unclear at the time, echoing her defense that she was unaware of any wrongdoing.

Some analysts suggest that a guilty verdict could enhance Le Pen's image as a victim of the political establishment, while others warn it might alienate moderate voters.

A favorable verdict for Le Pen could bolster her party's credibility and help distance it from its historical reputation under her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen.

The European Parliament allocates funds for expenses, including assistants, but these funds cannot be used to finance party activities.