Ooh-la-la, there seems to be a lot of this going on in Fance!

There is nothing in the reputable British press about this either Mamie, I’ve just had a good look. All I can see is outrage and stitch up claims from the right, including Elon Musk. According to the reports here there is very clear evidence that EU funds were embezzled.

I wondered if Musk would stick his nose in. He hasn't been in touch with the French right as much as say Germany.

Pot, kettle black, etc. 😂

France has prosecuted two ex-presidents, Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as former prime minister François Fillon on charges ranging from campaign finance violations to embezzlement.
Also Alain Juppe.

I'm sure I remember Christine Lagarde being convicted too. About 10 years ago?

TerriBull

oh la la! une erreur! class classe

Quelle dommage !!

Oops, I mean, of course, quel domage (I think).
Long time since I was at school!

You were right first time with spelling dommage Crossstitchfan. It's two m's. And yes, masculine. Quel dommage.

AuntieE

Nice to hear there are still countries where those convicted of crimes cannot stand in elections!

Exactly what I thought. AuntieE

Nice to hear that judges can determine who stands as a presidential candidate? Or not?

Nice to think politicians face the same laws as everyone else
Simple.

Criticism from far right parties in Europe this morning reported plus of course the USA, who since they have a convicted felon as president, would say that, wouldn't they?

But do they Wyllow3?

You sometimes say the strangest things ronib. Who else would decide?

ronib

But do they Wyllow3?

Yes. He was convicted on 24 counts last year. Sentencing was an unconditional discharge in January but that is still a guilty verdict.

In the UK we have been very strict about offences and suitability for being even an ordinary MP. This is right and proper.

ronib

Nice to hear that judges can determine who stands as a presidential candidate? Or not?

I believe they should. The law is above politics and judges are the upholders of the rule of law.

I agree, we live in a world now where we want more transparency, especially on how money is spent.
I do have a tiny bit of sympathy with Le Pen, whilst not defending her, as the French have always been masters at bending the rules! There must have been many more such goings on in the EU too.

This could well have enhanced her party, lots of people are not happy with this, considering others have been guilty and got away with it. The French state may not want her, but, as in the US, that doesn't mean the French people don't! Why the comments in French? Surely not to prove a bilingual point??!!

The statistics on the judgement roughly follow the level of the party's support or otherwise.

(in the BBC article on it)

escaped

I agree, we live in a world now where we want more transparency, especially on how money is spent.
I do have a tiny bit of sympathy with Le Pen, whilst not defending her, as the French have always been masters at bending the rules! There must have been many more such goings on in the EU too.

Now this has happened its open for prosecutions of other politicians too? So a good thing.

Wyllow3

ronib

But do they Wyllow3?

Yes. He was convicted on 24 counts last year. Sentencing was an unconditional discharge in January but that is still a guilty verdict.

In the UK we have been very strict about offences and suitability for being even an ordinary MP. This is right and proper.

the rules aren't that strict, newly elected Reform MP James McMurdock has been jailed for assaulting his girlfriend.

It doesn't seem right that Mike Amesbury left his MP post for assaulting someone whilst McMurdock still stands.

Reform certainly attract some colourful people. I don't suppose LePen's appeal will come to much, the evidence must be in the accounts

www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/who-is-james-mcmurdock-reform-mp-jailed-assault-378884/

spabbygirl I think the difference is that Mr.Murdock assaulted (they argued and he pushed her which resulted in her falling over according to your link) happened 20 years ago when he was 19 years old.

He was not an MP at the time, he was elected in 2024.

I do not condone violence whether it be man on man, man on woman, woman on man or woman on woman.

Mr Amesbury was an MP at the time when he punched a man to the ground, and continued to assault him whilst the man was in the ground.

Jaberwok

This could well have enhanced her party, lots of people are not happy with this, considering others have been guilty and got away with it. The French state may not want her, but, as in the US, that doesn't mean the French people don't! Why the comments in French? Surely not to prove a bilingual point??!!

Surely you're not suggesting that upholding the law should be swayed by a populist vote. That's vigilantism.

GrannyGravy13

spabbygirl I think the difference is that Mr.Murdock assaulted (they argued and he pushed her which resulted in her falling over according to your link) happened 20 years ago when he was 19 years old.

He was not an MP at the time, he was elected in 2024.

I do not condone violence whether it be man on man, man on woman, woman on man or woman on woman.

Mr Amesbury was an MP at the time when he punched a man to the ground, and continued to assault him whilst the man was in the ground.

I see what you mean GrannyGravy13, it would put me off voting for him and that is probably why Reform didn't speak about the offence albeit 20yrs ago prior to the election.

mind you I wouldn't vote for reform ever, Farage wants an insurance based NHS and that would put me off for starters

Jaberwok

This could well have enhanced her party, lots of people are not happy with this, considering others have been guilty and got away with it. The French state may not want her, but, as in the US, that doesn't mean the French people don't! Why the comments in French? Surely not to prove a bilingual point??!!

Surely only the people who haven’t understood the scale of the embezzlement would ever vote for her again. It wasn’t a small scale error of judgement. Knowing misappropriation of funds meant for a clearly defined other purpose is a serious criminal act, whichever way you look at it, and whoever did it. I don’t understand why anybody would want to vote for anybody who had done that, how could you ever trust them to be honest in public office?