The chairman of the Senate finance committee, Claude Raynal, proposes a commission of inquiry into the Marianne Fund, highlighting the “questions” posed by the choice of the two associations which received the largest subsidies.
Socialist senator Claude Raynal, chairman of the finance committee, announced Monday, April 24, that he will ask for the creation of a senatorial commission of inquiry to find out if part of the two million euros distributed by the state to associations was diverted or used for political purposes during the last presidential campaign. The government launched this Marianne Fund project in early 2021 in response to the assassination of Samuel Paty, in order to fight against separatism.
>>> We explain the controversy over the Marianne Fund, created after the assassination of Samuel Paty and whose use raises questions
Claude Raynal, had set Wednesday, April 19 the deadline for the committee for the prevention of radicalization to give him these documents. The administration complied and delivered to him on a USB key the complete files of the 47 associations which applied for the Marianne Fund. Other annexed documents were communicated, mainly accounting documents, which relate to the 17 associations finally selected. These associations shared nearly two million euros, not very equitably.
Two associations at the heart of this scandal
On studying these first documents, Claude Raynal estimates that 15 of the 17 associations concerned seem to be in the nails and generally correspond to the criteria, while also responding to requests for controls. But this is not the case for the two associations at the heart of this scandal: the Union of Physical Education and Military Preparation Societies (USEPPM) and Rebuild the Common. The two associations received respectively 355,000 and 330,000 euros. “They did not respond to all requests for checks“, said the senator.
The way they were chosen questions. The fact that the USEPPM has, for example, never worked on the issue of de-radicalization or that Rebuild the Common was born just before the announcement of the launch of the Marianne Fund. This structure also broadcast videos during the presidential campaign that targeted opponents of Emmanuel Macron.
Claude Raynal recognizes Monday morning that the radicalization prevention committee did not give him all the necessary documents. Some, however sensitive, are missing, such as the report of the debates during the selection committee of these associations or the emails that would allow us to really understand how the committee oriented its choices. Important documents to understand whether or not there were links between these associations and the office of Minister Marlène Schiappa who was still in charge of the question at the time.
Marlène Schiappa denies any favoritism
In a long response on the twitter thread, Saturday, April 22, Secretary of State Marlène Schiappa announces that she will file a complaint for “defamation” in this case.
Marlene Schiappa says to himself “the target of slander and many untruths“.”It’s unbearable and I won’t let it happen“, writes the Secretary of State. “Checking the elements is not difficult“, adds Marlène Schiappa.
>>> Marianne Fund: a “general inspection has been launched” and that “several reports [ont été faits] with the public prosecutor” recalls Yaël Braun-Pivet, the President of the National Assembly
Now the Senate, through a probable commission of inquiry but also the General Inspectorate of Administration or the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office, seized of several reports and complaints, are also in a position to verify these elements.