In France they have been opened two investigations on funding for the 2017 and 2022 presidential election campaigns: the investigations concern the involvement of the large and influential multinational consultancy McKinsey, apparently in the election campaigns of the current president Emmanuel Macron.
The investigations had been opened respectively on 20 and 21 October, but were announced Thursday by the National Financial Prosecutor (PNF), the French judicial institution competent for some serious economic and financial crimes, after some rumors published by the French newspaper Le Parisienaccording to which the investigations concern Macron.
In its press release, the PNF confirmed the launch of the two investigations into McKinsey but not the involvement of Macron, who is currently did not want to release statements.
The first investigation concerns some alleged wrongdoings in the financing and reporting of the 2017 and 2022 electoral campaigns, the second some allegations of favoritism and “concealment of favoritism”, presumably in the assignment of some consultancies to the company.
The two investigations into McKinsey add to the one launched last March, against the same company, for some alleged massive tax evasion. The investigation had been launched after the publication of a report by a commission of the French Senate, which also contested the methods of using private consultancies by the French state (and the related expenses) during Macron’s presidency: the case – called by some newspapers “McKinseygate” – had created several difficulties for Macron during his last electoral campaign.
If the PNF confirms that the two investigations launched at the end of October also concern Macron, writes Reuters, it would be the most serious legal case against him so far. At least for the moment, however, it is not expected that the case will have direct consequences on his mandate, given that as long as he is in office (ie until 2027) he enjoys presidential immunity.
