“He is considering” the opening of an investigation against him, said an official of the Le Havre regional authority, who was not named in accordance with protocol rules. “In fact, he will answer all the questions that (the judges) will ask him in a calm fashion, as he has always done,” the official said.
The AFP news network says the investigation was prompted by a whistleblower who reported allegations of misconduct in September 2023.
The alleged conflict of interest concerns a public contract worth more than 2 million Euros that the Le Havre regional authority signed with a charity called LH French Tech in July 2020. LH French Tech was managed by local councilor Stéphanie de Bazelaire.
The investigation comes at a sensitive time for Philippe. Earlier this month, he launched his campaign for next year’s presidential electionand put an end to speculation about when the former prime minister would move to the Elysée.
Early polls suggest Philippe is one of the best-placed candidates to beat far-right leaders Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, currently the favourites.
