Police search city hall in probe into ex-pm and key Macron ally

POLICE have conducted searches in a French city hall in an investigation targeting Edouard Philippe, a former prime minister and close ally of Emmanuel Macron.

A probe into Mr Philippe, now mayor of Le Havre, and two other officials in the city was opened in December 2023, a judicial source told the Associated Foreign Press agency. The source, who asked not to be named, said the inquiry involved suspicions of influence peddling, favouritism, embezzlement of public funds, and workplace bullying.

Mr Philippe, who served as premier from 2017 to 2020, is a close ally of Mr Macron. He runs a centrist movement, Horizons, that is allied to the president’s ruling party. He is seen as the pro-macron figure most likely to stand for the presidency in 2027, as the incumbent cannot run for a third consecutive term.

Mr Philippe has made little effort to hide his ambitions for the presidency, and some are already predicting a duel between him and far-right leader Marine Le Pen in 2027.

The policy inquiry was opened after a complaint lodged in 2023 relating to the setting up of a digital hub in the city, known as the Cite Numerique du Havre.

Mr Philippe confirmed to the BFM Normandie television channel that searches had taken place, and added: “We are at the disposal of the magistrates and we will respond to all the questions to show in good faith that we have respected all the rules.”

According to Le Monde, which first reported on the investigation, the plaintiff is a former senior official with the local authority whose contract was not renewed by Mr Philippe in April 2023.

Christelle Mazza, a lawyer for the plaintiff, welcomed the searches, calling them “very encouraging”.