French prosecutors have launched an investigation into President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 and 2022 election campaigns.
The question is whether the 44-year-old politician illegally benefited from the services of the American consultancy McKinsey. This was stated in a press release from the Paris financial prosecutor’s office. Government spending on external advice increased significantly during Macron’s reign.
Since the spring, a tax investigation has been underway against McKinsey for possible tampering with bank accounts and allegations of favoritism. It was previously announced that the American consultancy has not paid taxes in France for at least ten years. According to McKinsey, the law has been complied with.
It is also being investigated whether McKinsey was favored to award successful consulting jobs to Macron, and was rewarded for doing so without giving up. In France there is a ceiling on the costs of electoral campaigns, to give even outsiders a chance.
Macron’s office said it took note of the matter. It is up to the judiciary to conduct investigations independently, according to the Elysee.
Several French politicians have been convicted over the years of excessive spending or of trying to cover election expenses. Among them is the late former president Jacques Chirac.
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced last year to a year in prison for illegally funding his 2012 re-election bid.
