| Author (Corporate) | France24 |
|---|---|
| Series Title | France24 |
| Series Details | 27.02.17 |
| Publication Date | 27/02/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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News sources reported on the 24 February 2017 that French prosecutors had announced that an official probe had been opened into the claims that presidential candidate François Fillon paid his wife hundreds of thousands of euros to serve as his parliamentary assistant. On the 1 March 2017 Mr Fillon confirmed that he had been summoned by judges in connection with the claims. However, he refused to rule himself out of the presidential race, and called the investigation against him 'political assassination'. In the following days Mr Fillon faced increasing pressure to step aside as some senior members of les Républicains withdrew their support for him. However, Mr Fillon did not withdraw at a important rally held in Paris on the 5 March 2017 and said he would await to hear from a meeting of senior party officials to be held on the 6 March 2017. On the 6 March 2017 former French Prime Minister Alain Juppé said he would not stand as a replacement candidate for les Républicains even if Mr Fillon withdrew. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he wanted to meet with Juppe and Fillon to resolve the political crisis. The meeting of senior officials from les Républicains on the 6 March 2017 unanimously backed Mr Fillon in the event. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.france24.com/en/20170224-prosecutors-open-criminal-case-francois-fillon-penelopegate-fake-jobs-scandal |
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| Countries / Regions | France |
