Fillon was indicted on charges of embezzlement of state funds
MOSCOW, 14 Mar — RIA Novosti. The candidate for President of France Francois Fillon has charged on charges of embezzlement of state funds associated with fictitious employment of members of his family, according to prosecutors.
The scandal around the former Prime Minister broke out after an article in the satirical newspaper Canard enchaine. The publication alleged that his wife of eight years had been in Parliament a salary as assistant Fillon. The money came from funds intended to pay for the service of parliamentarians.
Similar charges related to two children of ex-Prime Minister. According to the Canard Enchaine, the earnings of the children of the couple Fillon, who worked as assistants to father in the Senate of France, amounted to 84 thousand euros.
Hiring family members for positions in the Parliament is not against the law, but the employment must not be fictitious. The Fillon has pleaded not guilty and called the actions “a political murder”.
The scandal has already triggered the downgrade of Fillon. Thus, according to the public opinion survey company Ifop, 71% of French people want the former Prime Minister left the presidential race. In a similar poll in mid-February for an exit visit from the race was supported by 65%. The politician said that he will not refuse from the struggle for the presidency.
Election of the President of France will be held in two rounds on 23 April and 7 may.