French authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into far-right leader Marine Le Pen over alleged illegal financing of her 2022 presidential campaign.

The Paris prosecutor's office announced on Tuesday that the probe focuses on a campaign loan and potential misuse of funds.

This inquiry follows a tip-off from the campaign accounts commission on July 2, which reviews all candidates' campaign expenses.

Le Pen invested approximately 11.5 million euros in her third presidential bid.

The commission had previously rejected some of her expenses, including about 300,000 euros for campaign advertising on buses.

Despite her substantial investment, Le Pen lost to Emmanuel Macron in the 2022 runoff election.