French investigators came to the building of the National Assembly (Parliament) of France to get the documents relating to the investigation of possible embezzlement of public funds – the so-called “case of Penelope Fillon”. This was reported by the TV channel BFM TV.
According to him, the investigators intend to withdraw the documentation related to the payment of wages to the spouse of the former Prime Minister of France Francois Fillon.
On the eve of françois Fillon, nominating his candidacy in the presidential election, and his wife Penelope were individually questioned by investigators. The interrogation lasted about five hours.
On Wednesday in France, broke out of public controversy, when the newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné published an investigation which claimed that Penelope Fillon for several years was listed as an assistant with françois Fillon at the National Assembly and received the allotted salary, but “did not perform any specific duties.” She was paid 500 thousand euros.
The scandal took a very serious turn. Local media dubbed the case “Penelopiad” because it risks to affect the outcome of the campaign Fillon, long considered the undisputed favorite.
Already a few hours after the appearance of the publication of the French Prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation to determine the circumstances of the theft of public funds by creating fictitious jobs.
François Fillon has already declared that will act with the election, if he becomes involved in the investigation, initiated against his wife. “Only one thing can prevent me to remain a candidate: if you will be affected by my honor, if I will open an investigation. I have always said that I will not be able to apply for the post of the head of state if there is at least some evidence that I have transgressed the law,” he said.
As you know, polling data centres Kantar-Sofres-Onepoint for Le Figaro, RTL and LCI show that the head of the French far-right party “national front” marine Le Pen maintains the lead among other presidential candidates in the first round, but lose with all hands in the second.
The lead in the first round of elections is held by the head of the far-right marine Le Pen for her ready to vote 25% of the electorate. Second place with 22% predicting the right-wing candidate, françois Fillon. Third place with a score of 21% – the former economy Minister Emmanuel Macron.
At the same time in the second round Le Pen loses and Fillon, and Makron. In particular, if the opponent will be the former Prime Minister, the leader of the far right can claim 40% and Fillon – 60%.
In a pair of the same Le Pen – the Makron, the latter wins with 65% against 35%. Also Makron can win if his opponent in the second round will be Fillon with a score of 58% against 42%.
