Bruno Gollnisch, a former European lawmaker, said "there were no fictitious jobs" in the then National Rally party as he attended an appeals trial on Tuesday (January 20) alongside far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Le Pen can run in France's 2027 presidential election after being barred from public office over a conviction for misusing EU funds.

Le Pen was due to address the court at length from 1230GMT for the first time since the appeal case started a week ago.

Le Pen was handed a five-year ban from holding public office last year, which went into effect immediately, after she and eight other former National Rally (RN) lawmakers were found guilty of misappropriating over 4 million euros ($4.67 million) of EU funds.

The hearing is due to end on February 12. A ruling is expected before the summer, meaning Le Pen's hopes of running in 2027 remain alive if her five-year ban is revoked or drastically curtailed.

"They are doing everything, of course, including the most underhanded practices against us, to prevent the success they fear", Gollnisch said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

FRENCH FAR-RIGHT LEADER, MARINE LE PEN, ARRIVING AND LEAVING COURTROOM / INTERVIEW WITH FORMER FAR-RIGHT MEP /

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (JANUARY, 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF PARIS COURT

2. FRENCH FAR-RIGHT LEADER, MARINE LE PEN, ARRIVING TO COURT

3. MEDIA IN CORRIDOR

4. LE PEN EXITING COURTROOM FOR BREAK

5. CO-DEFENDANT AND NATIONAL RALLY MEMBER OF FRENCH PARLIAMENT, JULIEN ODOUL, WALKING PAST

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FORMER MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BRUNO GOLLNISCH, SAYING:

"There wasn't a single fictitious job. There wasn't a single fictitious job. So in fact, of course, the parliamentary administration, or rather its current representatives, who are in fact instruments of our political opponents, who were very afraid of the growing discontent with the European Commission, (and) are very afraid of a change in the majority. And they are doing everything, of course, including the most underhanded practices against us, to prevent the success they fear."

7. SIGN FOR COURT OF APPEAL

8. VARIOUS OF LE PEN RETURNING TO COURTROOM

9. LE PEN EXITING FOR LUNCH BREAK

10. SECURITY SPEAKING TO LAWYER

11. LE PEN HEADING RETURNING TO COURTROOM