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Correction for any non french reader: a candidate, Francois Fillon, which is being investigated for seven different charges, including fictitious jobs, embezzli

by pikzen 9y ago

Correction for any non french reader: a candidate, Francois Fillon, which is being investigated for seven different charges, including fictitious jobs, embezzling public funds, trafficking influence, fakes and usage of fakes and a list of frauds that wouldn't fit on A4 paper [1] has accused the president of using "dark cabinets" to get some dirt on him, quoting a book. The author of said book immediately came out against that, Fillon got slammed by both the president and the ministry of justice, who reminded him he himself voted against numerous measures aimed at making presidential affairs more transparent. And then Le Pen has been spouting off her victim rethoric for years. [1]https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affaire_Fillon https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affaire_Fillon

cm2187 9y ago
There were also all the investigations that hit Sarkozy and the conservative party when Hollande took power and he perceived Sarkozy as his main rival. I have followed French politics for too long to believe in coincidences.
- pikzen 9y ago
  I have lived in France and followed politics for too long to not know this isn't unique to Hollande. Sarkozy absolutely abused his power and is suspected to have been the cause of the whole Dominique Strauss Kahn affair. Chirac has been accused of it. Mitterand has been accused of it. So far, there are no proofs. You also have to realize that our political class is prone to backstabbing, much much more than any other country. Everyone has dirt on everyone in the same party. So far, the Fillon revelations rather seem like they're coming from LR, not the PS or Hollande.
  - cm2187 9y ago
    I am certainly not suggesting this is limited to Hollande. In term of proof, it has kind of been confirmed by Hollande himself indirectly. In his interview book "Un president ne devrait pas dire ca", he mentioned that Fillon contacted him after he took office, encouraging him to dig more dirt on Sarkozy, otherwise they will be facing him at the next election. Hollande then praised his own virtue by pretending he did not proceed and Fillon denied ever asking that. However whether this discussion happened or not, and whether Hollande did it or not, what Hollande confirmed indirectly is that it was a perfectly reasonable request from an insider of French politics (a former prime minister) to get the president to use the justice system against his opponent.

by pikzen 9y ago

cm2187 9y ago

There were also all the investigations that hit Sarkozy and the conservative party when Hollande took power and he perceived Sarkozy as his main rival. I have followed French politics for too long to believe in coincidences.

pikzen 9y ago
I have lived in France and followed politics for too long to not know this isn't unique to Hollande. Sarkozy absolutely abused his power and is suspected to have been the cause of the whole Dominique Strauss Kahn affair. Chirac has been accused of it. Mitterand has been accused of it. So far, there are no proofs. You also have to realize that our political class is prone to backstabbing, much much more than any other country. Everyone has dirt on everyone in the same party. So far, the Fillon revelations rather seem like they're coming from LR, not the PS or Hollande.
- cm2187 9y ago
  I am certainly not suggesting this is limited to Hollande. In term of proof, it has kind of been confirmed by Hollande himself indirectly. In his interview book "Un president ne devrait pas dire ca", he mentioned that Fillon contacted him after he took office, encouraging him to dig more dirt on Sarkozy, otherwise they will be facing him at the next election. Hollande then praised his own virtue by pretending he did not proceed and Fillon denied ever asking that. However whether this discussion happened or not, and whether Hollande did it or not, what Hollande confirmed indirectly is that it was a perfectly reasonable request from an insider of French politics (a former prime minister) to get the president to use the justice system against his opponent.