Source: Politico
“Marine Le Pen has her own nickname for the Brussels bubble. The far-right French leader likes to call the close-knit circle of lawmakers, lobbyists and civil servants working in the European Union capital ‘the Blob.’ The reference is to the 1958 science fiction film in which a ravenous, gelatinous mass expands as it consumes everything in its path. … The long-standing presidential candidate is facing trial, along with 26 others, accused of embezzling millions of euros in European Parliament funds by using them to pay staffers to do domestic politics instead of their work as parliamentary assistants. Her party, as a legal entity, is also facing charges. During five hours of testimony earlier this week, Le Pen sought to turn the tables on the Parliament, describing it as an organ that co-opts its members, cutting them off from the citizens they are supposed to represent.” (10/17/24)