French right has no presidential candidate if Fillon steps down

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 28.01.17
Publication Date 28/01/2017
Content Type

The politician chosen in primaries in November 2016 to be the centre right les Républicains candidate in the 2017 French Presidential elections, François Fillon, became involved in a controversy in January 2017 over his use of public funds to pay his wife over a number of years for what were alleged to be a fake parliamentary job. The allegation were published in the satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchainé.

An investigation was launched into the affair, and Mr Fillon confirmed on the 30 January 2017 that his wife and himself had been questioned.

At a special televised press conference held on the 6 February 2017 Mr Fillon apologised for having employed his family while a member of the French parliament but said he would continue as the Presidential candidate as he was the 'only credible candidate' for the centre-right.

France’s financial prosecutor Eliane Houlette said on the 16 February 2017 that she would pursue an investigation into the fake work allegations. However, François Fillon suggested that, contrary to what he had earlier said, he would not necessarily drop out as a candidate if a formal investigation into the allegations were started.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.france24.com/en/20170127-french-right-republicains-have-no-presidential-election-candidate-fillon-steps-down
Related Links
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Deutsche Welle, 19.02.17: France opinion poll shows 65 percent want candidate Fillon to withdraw http://dw.com/p/2Xqgk

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