François Fillon was heard on Tuesday May 2 in the National Assembly on his links with Moscow and his past presence on the boards of directors of Russian multinationals. More than two hours of hearing for the former presidential candidate of 2017 before the commission of inquiry, initiated by the National Rally and devoted to “political, economic and financial interference by foreign powers”. The former prime minister denied any Russian influence.
Circulate, there is nothing to see: this is, in essence, the message conveyed by Francois Fillon before the commission of inquiry. Serene, composed, sometimes even smiling in front of the deputies who questioned him, the former Prime Minister, whose public appearances are very rare, first made things clear about his new life:
” This professional career concerns only me. I don’t have to account to anyone for the way I drive it. I am a private person. If I want to sell rillettes in Red Square, I will sell rillettes in Red Square. »
On his retraining in the private sector precisely, and his presence for a time on the board of directors of several Russian companies, the former head of government was categorical: ” I have never touched a penny of money from Russia in all my political and private life. Never. »
No Russian interference in France through him therefore, but François Fillon instilled doubt on the influence of other powers: “ Have I encountered, in my political life, and in particular when I was in government, foreign interference? Yes, I have met some. Most of the time, they came from a friendly and allied country called the United States. », the US National Security Agency.
.@FrancoisFillon says he has witnessed attempts at “foreign interference” during his career. “Most of the time, they came from the United States”, he specifies, criticizing in particular the principle of extraterritoriality of American justice.#DirectAN pic.twitter.com/56Cpisem60
—LCP (@LCP) May 2, 2023
At this stage, the work of the Rassemblement national commission of inquiry proved fruitless. The other camps always denounce a “ diversion of the far-right party to put an end to the accusations designating the National Rally as an agent of Russian influence in France.
Read also : François Fillon, from presidential candidate to right-wing pariah