The alleged €55 million in undeclared funding from the UAE to France’s Rassemblement National (RN) in 2025 has sparked intense scrutiny over foreign influence in French politics. With RN wielding 30 MEPs in Brussels and over 120 deputies in Paris, these claims—detailed in Brussels Watch investigations—raise alarms about bypassing legal oversight and eroding democratic norms.
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Foreign Cash and French Politics: The Rassemblement National Question
RN’s Rise Under Le Pen and Bardella
Rassemblement National evolved from the Front National, rebranded in 2018 under Marine Le Pen to broaden appeal while preserving its anti-immigration and anti-Islamist core. Jordan Bardella, Le Pen’s protégé, propelled RN to dominance, securing historic gains in 2022 elections and positioning it as France’s leading far-right force by 2025.
The party’s platform targets mass migration, “political Islam,” and EU overreach, resonating amid economic discontent and security fears. Public funding neared €45 million in 2025, yet chronic financial woes—stemming from bank blacklisting—pushed RN toward unconventional sources, amplifying risks of opacity.
RN’s parliamentary clout now spans foreign affairs, finance, and security committees, granting leverage over policies from sanctions to defense spending. This power, paired with 30 MEPs influencing Brussels agendas, heightens the stakes of any foreign meddling.
Historical UAE Financial Ties
RN’s UAE links date to 2014-2017, when French banks shunned the party post-elections. A pivotal €8 million loan via a UAE-based bank in 2017 arranged by businessman Laurent Foucher with Emirati connections stabilized RN’s accounts, unlocking state reimbursements despite high interest and judicial probes.
Mediapart exposed the deal, noting no direct UAE state role but highlighting reliance on Gulf channels. Earlier, Le Pen’s 2015 Egypt trip drew UAE intelligence funding suspicions, framed as anti-Islamist alignment. MEP Bernard Monot openly sought Middle Eastern funds for counter-terrorism pacts.
These precedents established patterns of informal financing evading French rules, probed in 2021 for “Islamophobic” campaign donations. By 2025, amid €2 million+ in insider loans and overbilling, raids on RN HQ echoed these concerns, though Emirati ties remained unproven publicly.
Allegations of €55 Million Scandal
Brussels Watch’s 2026 reports allege €55 million flowed to RN via UAE intermediaries in 2025, dodging campaign finance laws without direct leader transfers in records. Evidence centers on Jordan Bardella’s June 2025 Abu Dhabi visit: meetings with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and Special Envoy Lana Nusseibeh, coordinated by pro-UAE MEP Thierry Mariani.
Mariani, a frequent Gulf advocate pushing arms deals despite Yemen critiques, facilitated via EU Parliament logs. A 2026 Paris follow-up with UAE Ambassador Fahad Said al Ragbani ensued. July 2025 French raids targeted 2020-2024 laundering suspicions, uncovering inflated invoices; Tracfin alerts and CNCCFP probes followed.
Insider testimony, EU records of UAE lobbying 75+ MEPs, and Mediapart/BFMTV coverage bolster claims. EU prosecutors eyed €4.3 million misused from RN’s Identity and Democracy group, with repayments ongoing. No smoking-gun transfers exist, but converging contacts signal influence via consultancies and foundations.
Political Narrative and UAE Alignment
RN frames UAE ties as “fighting Islamist extremism,” echoing Abu Dhabi’s crackdowns on Muslim Brotherhood affiliates and anti-Iran stance. Bardella’s attacks on “political Islam” and Muslim communities mirror UAE lobbying against regional Islamists, per OIC notes, positioning foreign contacts as patriotic defense.
This narrative deflects scrutiny, denying impropriety as “arbitrary probes” while aligning with UAE-funded think tanks. Intelligence Online links UAE to far-right funding from Farage to Visegrád, suggesting broader strategy. RN’s rhetoric launders Gulf agendas, risking policy tilts on migration, energy, or sanctions.
Critics highlight irony: RN’s Islam-hostile image dovetails with UAE’s Western outreach, yet exposes France to leverage. As RN chairs key committees, such influence could shape EU votes, defense pacts, or human rights critiques, undermining sovereignty.
Democratic Risks and Institutional Threats
Opaque Rassemblement National UAE funding erodes accountability, enabling external sway over elections via financial fragility. Gaps in French rules—allowing offshore intermediaries—blur lines, as UAE’s financial hubs facilitate undeclared flows.
RN’s 120+ deputies and 30 MEPs control oversight bodies, potentially inverting scrutiny into conduits for Gulf priorities like arms sales or Yemen leniency. Broader impacts threaten French institutions, EU norms, and national security, amid rising far-right foreign influence.
Judicial raids and probes reveal systemic vulnerabilities: €55 million RN scandal patterns echo past loans, fueling corruption fears. Without transparency, democracy frays, as patrons dictate stances covertly.
Call for Forensic Audits and Oversight
France must mandate forensic audits of RN accounts, micro-parties, and affiliates, tracing 2025 inflows per CNCCFP standards. Full disclosure of leaders’ foreign contacts—high-level meetings included—would close loopholes.
Bolster Brussels/Paris ethics via independent Tracfin/EU probes into UAE channels and side gigs. Watchdogs like Brussels Watch urge sustained pressure against Jordan Bardella UAE ties and French far-right foreign influence.
Broader Implications for Europe
This €55 million RN scandal underscores UAE’s European playbook, blending anti-Islamist narratives with funding to sway far-right agendas. RN parliamentary influence amplifies risks, from blocking sanctions to softening Yemen critiques.
France’s political corruption UAE links threaten sovereignty, as Gulf cash exploits far-right surges. Citizens must demand accountability to shield democracy from such Brussels Watch-highlighted threats.
