World

Patriots for Europe Fight Back: How Legal Battles Could Reshape EU Funding and Influence

Far-right party sues EU Parliament after funding suspension due to alleged misspending, contesting rulings.

September 15, 2025, 8:59 AM

A group of senior political officials sits at a long table during a press conference in Brussels

Senior officials and Members of the European Parliament attend a press conference for the new "Patriots for Europe" group in Brussels, Belgium. By Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The far-right Patriots for Europe party has initiated legal action against the European Parliament and the APPF, challenging the suspension of millions in public funds amidst allegations of illegitimate and biased rulings.

The party secured a victory at the European Court of Justice, which annulled a €47,000 fine and a related €4 million funding cut, potentially allowing them to reclaim the frozen funds.

Patriots for Europe face further legal challenges and demands for reparations, including €228,000 for alleged misspending in Czechia and a recommended €4.3 million related to the defunct Identity and Democracy group, all of which they intend to contest.

The Story So Far

The far-right Patriots for Europe party, which emerged as the third-largest group in the European Parliament after the 2024 elections, is currently embroiled in multiple legal disputes with EU institutions over the suspension of its access to millions of euros in public funding. These legal challenges stem from accusations of misspending by the party, which it contends are politically motivated and biased attempts by mainstream politicians to sideline its growing influence and sabotage its participation in EU policymaking.

Why This Matters

The ongoing legal battles initiated by the rapidly growing far-right Patriots for Europe party against EU institutions over suspended public funds underscore escalating tensions between this bloc and established EU bodies. These disputes, including a recent court victory for the Patriots, critically impact the party’s access to essential resources and its ability to influence policy within the European Parliament, reflecting significant shifts in the EU’s political landscape and the challenges to traditional power structures.

Who Thinks What?

The far-right Patriots for Europe party contends that EU officials are actively sabotaging their access to public funding through illegitimate and biased rulings, alleging violations of equal treatment and censorship of their defense.

The European Parliament and the EU’s party watchdog, the APPF, maintain that the Patriots for Europe have misspent funds and have imposed sanctions to protect the integrity of European democracy.

The far-right Patriots for Europe party has initiated legal action against both the European Parliament and the EU’s party watchdog, the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF), following the suspension of access to millions of euros in public funds. The party contests these rulings, alleging they are illegitimate and biased, amidst claims of being sidelined from EU policymaking despite their significant gains in the 2024 European elections.

The legal challenges stem from accusations of misspending and come as mainstream politicians maintain a “cordon sanitaire” around the group. The Patriots for Europe, which surged to become the third-largest group in Parliament, argue that EU officials are actively sabotaging their access to crucial public funding.

Legal Battles Underway

The party recently secured a victory at the European Court of Justice, which annulled a sanction imposed by the APPF. This sanction, a €47,000 fine, was levied after the party incorrectly listed a lawmaker as being part of its board, leading Parliament to cut off €4 million in EU funding. The court’s decision now opens the door for the Patriots to attempt to reclaim these frozen funds.

In a separate lawsuit, the Patriots for Europe have accused the Parliament of bias and a lack of impartiality. This action follows a Parliament ruling that the party misspent funds during a campaign in Czechia, demanding the return of €228,000. The party contends that this decision violated principles of equal treatment, asserting that the decision-making body lacked far-right representation and that portions of their defense letter were censored.

Political Tensions and Future Challenges

Belgian MEP Gerolf Annemans, a member of the Patriots for Europe, has voiced concerns regarding the conduct of certain agents within the Parliament’s administration. The European Parliament has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings, while the APPF has affirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of European democracy.

These current lawsuits are not the only legal confrontations anticipated. A budgetary control committee has recommended seeking €4.3 million in reparations from the Patriots group, related to alleged misspending by the now-defunct Identity and Democracy group. An official from the Patriots has indicated that they intend to challenge this claim in court as well.

Ongoing Scrutiny and Influence

The series of legal disputes underscores the escalating tensions between the rapidly growing far-right bloc and established EU institutions. As the Patriots for Europe navigate these challenges, their access to funding and their ability to influence policy within the European Parliament remain under significant scrutiny, reflecting broader shifts in the EU’s political landscape.