Macron files lawsuit over offshore account allegations
ADVERTISEMENTFormer US president Barack Obama has endorsed Emmanuel Macron for the French presidency.
In a video message he said:“I want all of my friends in France to know how much I’m rooting for your success. Because of how important this election is, I also want you to know that I am supporting Emmanuel Macron to lead you forward. En Marche! Vive la France!”
Former US President Barack Obama backs centrist French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron https://t.co/X4TS6FlXEApic.twitter.com/RhlHOLTUUg
— CNN International (@cnni) May 4, 2017
It comes as the frontrunner Macron has launched a lawsuit against claims by certain right-wing websites that he has an offshore account in the Bahamas.
Macron issued a categorical denial:“I have always wanted to return to public life. So when I spent nearly four years in the private sector and because I have some foresight, I made sure I had no conflict of interest and no practices of this kind at all, because I always said to myself that I wouldn’t know how to explain it to our fellow citizens. So I’ve never had such an account.”
Marine Le Pen mentioned the allegations in the final TV debate.
Macron and Le Pen will face off in a divisive election on Sunday. Here's where they stand: https://t.co/cvGGv0nolOpic.twitter.com/Goi5rxZO8g
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) May 4, 2017
She went public to justify the claims:“I asked him the question, I don’t want us to discover… I asked him the question ‘are we going to discover certain things maybe too late, which concern Emmanuel Macron?’ because there is one thing for sure…”
The journalist interjected and asked her if she had any proof, to which Le Pen replied:“If I had proof I would have confirmed it yesterday.” I asked Mr. Macron the question, are we no longer allowed to ask him any questions? I believe that we are.”
The fallout from incendiary debate ahead of Sunday’s vote has added a certain piquancy to Friday’s final day of campaigning.
Marine Le Pen went to Brittany on Thursday and was pelted with eggs.
French voters will elect a new president on May 7, but what will Emmanuel Macron or Marine Le Pen be able to do if they win the election? pic.twitter.com/V0OkST4bm2
— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 4, 2017