Brussels, 22 October, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European prosecutors have searched offices inside the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg as part of an ongoing EU funds investigation involving the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) political group. The searches, conducted on Wednesday, 21 October, concern suspected financial irregularities linked to European parliamentary funding.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) confirmed that searches took place in Belgium and France. The operation has renewed scrutiny of how parliamentary groups used public money during the 2019–2024 legislative term.
EU Funds Investigation Targets Former Political Group
Investigators searched administrative offices associated with personnel from the former Identity and Democracy group, which was dissolved following the 2024 European elections.
According to Belgian media reports, searches included an office associated with Philip Claeys, a former Vlaams Belang politician who served as secretary-general of the ID group between 2019 and 2024.
The investigation concerns allegations that millions of euros allocated to the former parliamentary group were improperly spent.
European Parliament financial findings previously identified approximately €4.3 million in questioned expenditure between 2019 and 2024. Reported concerns included donations to outside organisations and contracts awarded through potentially irregular procurement procedures.
These findings form part of the background to the criminal investigation. They do not establish criminal liability.
The searches represent a significant development in efforts to establish whether European parliamentary funds were used in accordance with applicable financial rules.
European Prosecutors Confirm Searches in Belgium and France
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the operations in a statement provided to Reuters.
The office said the searches formed part of an ongoing investigation concerning the use of European funds by a former political group within the European Parliament.
Prosecutors declined to disclose further operational details, citing the need to protect the investigation.
The European Parliament also acknowledged the investigation and indicated that it was cooperating with the relevant authorities.
Patriots for Europe, the parliamentary group formed after the 2024 elections and incorporating several parties previously associated with ID, confirmed that administrative offices had been searched.
The group maintained that it had no legal continuity with Identity and Democracy and denied involvement in the ongoing investigation.
No criminal conviction arising from the latest searches has been established.
Background to the Identity and Democracy Funding Allegations
Identity and Democracy operated as a political group in the European Parliament during the 2019–2024 legislative term.
Its members included representatives of France’s National Rally, Italy’s Lega and Belgium’s Vlaams Belang.
Following the 2024 European elections, ID ceased operating, while several former member parties joined the newly established Patriots for Europe group.
The EPPO investigation followed concerns over the management of public money allocated to parliamentary political groups.
Such funding is intended to support legitimate parliamentary activities, including administrative operations, staff-related expenditure and authorised political work.
Questions surrounding donations and procurement contracts have therefore raised broader concerns about financial oversight within European institutions.
Impact on Brussels and European Parliament Accountability
The searches place renewed attention on financial transparency at the European Parliament, one of the European Union’s principal democratic institutions.
For Belgian and European taxpayers, the case concerns whether public funds were spent appropriately and whether irregular expenditure can be recovered.
The investigation may also affect discussions over financial responsibility between dissolved parliamentary groups and newly established political alliances.
However, any obligation to repay disputed funding would require assessment under the relevant parliamentary rules and applicable legal procedures.
The case highlights the importance of distinguishing administrative findings of irregular expenditure from criminal allegations that prosecutors must independently establish.
What Happens Next in the European Parliament Probe?
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is expected to continue examining financial records and evidence obtained through the searches.
As of 22 October, prosecutors had not publicly announced a timetable for completing the investigation or disclosed further procedural decisions arising from the latest operation.
Any future prosecution would depend on the evidence and the applicable legal requirements.
The investigation remains ongoing, and those concerned retain the presumption of innocence unless wrongdoing is established through the appropriate judicial process.
