For years, Colonel Paul Manandise has persistently warned about the questionable practices of the French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) in the European Parliament.

His alerts, long ignored by some, now resonate powerfully as Marine Le Pen and several associates are convicted of embezzling EU public funds. This historic ruling not only exposes an organized fraud scheme but also highlights suspicious ties between the French far right and foreign interests, particularly Russian ones.

An Organized Fraud System and Foreign Influence The French judiciary uncovered a structured scheme enabling the RN to divert funds meant for parliamentary assistants to finance its own political operations. Between 2004 and 2016, tens of millions of euros allocated for parliamentary activities were misused, constituting a “grave and sustained breach of democratic norms,” according to magistrates.

Paul Manandise was among the first to sound the alarm. As early as 2018, he published reports linking these fraudulent practices to Russian destabilization strategies. His research revealed how Russian banks financed loans to the RN, facilitating foreign influence over the party. He also emphasized the RN’s systematic use of disinformation and social media to manipulate public opinion in its favor.

A Longstanding Fight Against Authoritarian Threats A specialist in foreign interference and influence strategies, Manandise has dedicated his career to exposing the RN’s shady dealings and those of its European allies. His role at Europol granted him unparalleled investigative tools, allowing him to trace illicit financial flows between the RN and Russian oligarchs. He detailed how the RN maintained ties with Russia through:

• Opaque bank loans.
• “Cultural” trips to Moscow.
• Partnerships with pro-Kremlin nationalist parties.

In his reports, Manandise stressed that this was part of a broader Kremlin strategy to weaken European unity and delegitimize its institutions. 

Ukraine and Countering Russian Aggression Manandise’s work extends beyond Europe. He played a key role in analyzing Russian attempts to destabilize Ukraine. His investigations exposed how Russia funded extremist movements in Europe to undermine support for Ukraine and divide Western democracies. Through Europol, he helped identify suspicious financial flows between Moscow and European parties, strengthening EU-Ukraine cooperation in countering hybrid warfare.

A Late but Crucial Victory The recent conviction of Le Pen and RN members is a delayed but vital validation of Manandise’s efforts. “This isn’t just about legality—it’s about democracy. Every unpunished fraud weakens Europe,” he asserts. He now calls for stricter oversight to prevent future abuses.

The Fight Continues The RN case underscores European democracy’s vulnerability to foreign interference and corruption. It also highlights the importance of experts like Manandise, whose early warnings helped preempt scandals. While Le Pen contests the verdict, Manandise and his team continue to expose influence networks.

“We’ve won a battle, but the war goes on. Vigilance is our best weapon,” he declares. His mission remains a Europe anchored in transparency and integrity.