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French President Emmanuel Macron participates in a conference at UCL University of Louvain-La-Neuve on the last day of an official visit to Belgium on November 20, 2018. REUTERS / Yves Herman / PoolReuters
PARIS (Reuters) – French prosecutors opened Tuesday an investigation into the source of funds worth 144,000 euros that helped finance the election campaign of President Emmanuel Macron in 2017, said a source at the prosecutor's office.
The investigation comes after the National Commission of Campaign Accounts and Political Financing (CNCCFP) has not been able to trace by check and wire transfer certain donations made at the Macron's party. In March (On the Move).
Uncommitted funds represent a small fraction of Macron's campaign expenses. According to the CNCCFP, Macron raised 16.8 million euros in campaign financing – below the ceiling set by French law – and spent almost everything.
Macron's party did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Paris prosecutors are also investigating allegations of irregularities in campaign spending in 2017 by the leader of the far left, Jean-Luc Melenchon. The former Trotskyist was questioned by the police and his headquarters raided last month in connection with the allegations.
"Will they also raid Macron's home, confiscate his list of members and donors, or if it's a double standard case," Melenchon tweeted.
The far-right party of Marine Le Pen, the National Rally (National Gathering, formerly known as the National Front) and the centrist Modem party are also under investigation for alleged use. of EU funds.
(Report by Simon Carraud, written by Richard Lough, edited by Michel Rose)
Copyright 2018 Thomson Reuters.
