Trial of European parliamentary assistants. “It’s a human tragedy!”, at the helm, François Bayrou, combative, does not back down

François Bayrou was heard this Tuesday, November 7, before the 11th chamber of the Paris criminal court, as part of the trial of the parliamentary assistants of Modem MEPs, opened on October 16. The president of the party, referred to court for complicity by instigation in embezzlement of public funds, was combative in his defense.

He had not yet spoken publicly since the trial began, saving his energy for his defense at the bar. Calm, smiling, patiently listening to the reading of the facts and his accusation by the president of the court, François Bayrou appears this Tuesday, November 7 determined to fight.

After six years of investigation, the trial, opened on October 16 before the 11^e correctional chamber of Paris, must determine whether the current mayor of Pau is guilty of complicity by instigation of embezzlement of funds from the European Parliament, through the intermediary of the European deputies of his party.

Modem is in fact accused of having used European Parliament funds to pay the parliamentary assistants of Modem deputies, without the latter having carried out missions corresponding to this envelope. Facts which would extend over a period of around ten years, between 2005 and 2017. For the two judges in charge of the investigation, François Bayrou, in his capacity as president of the MoDem, would be complicit in these embezzlements, by having set up an entire fraudulent system.

“What is the motive? Financial difficulties? There never was one!” the mayor of Pau immediately defends himself, from the start of his much-anticipated speech at the helm. And the president of MoDem continues by defending the financial integrity of his party: “Is there a system to replenish the coffers of the MoDem? We are the only party without debt, our freedom is guaranteed by public financing according to the number of votes, but also thanks to the real estate headquarters of the UDF. Say that we wanted to replenish the coffers is nonsense!”

However, the centrist party has already experienced financial difficulties. In 2012, he had to sell one of his properties, rue de l’Université, to recover funds. Sixteen people were also fired to bring the accounts into balance.

We have never had financial threats so serious that they lead us into illegality.

François Bayrou, president of MoDem

At the 11th correctional chamber of Paris

The one who has continued to proclaim his innocence since the beginning of the investigation, denouncing “unfounded accusations”, has chosen, in addition to financial integrity, several areas of defense. First, by reiterating his attachment, and that of his party, to Europe and European bodies.

Then, by arguing its lack of information and follow-up on what could happen in the European Parliament. “In 2007, during the presidential election, I did not have time to take an interest in parliamentary assistants. The same in 2011-2012, I was preparing for the presidential election, defends the current mayor of Pau. And I never had any authority over parliamentary assistants, it was the responsibility of MEPs. In our family, no one ever thought of giving instructions for the recruitment of an assistant.”

Without notes, knowing the file by heart, François Bayrou even retorted directly to the president that of the 131 parliamentary assistants that the MoDem had, “the instruction only retained a few, the majority of whom never worked for us.” And he accuses the court of “focus on two assistants, with whom there was a human problem”.

After a session suspension, the screening of the summary report, signed by Corinne Lepage, caused a stir. “Did you say during the investigation that the police investigators had falsified documents?” asks the president. “I maintain ! replies François Bayrou without losing his composure. They falsified the summary report. This is the central document of the prosecution, it’s scandalous! I considered suing them for public forgery.”

You think we’re in on a mysterious plot, but it’s not!

François Bayrou, president of MoDem

at the 11th correctional chamber of Paris

“It’s a human tragedy! What you are insinuating is a fabrication”even ends up hitting the president of the MoDem, before his hearing at the bar ends. During a long afternoon of questions and answers, François Bayrou therefore pleaded his case, in front of his many supporters who made the trip, such as the MP for Pau Josy Poueyto.

Long hours on his feet, François Bayrou unfolded his argument, in a file that he knows by heart, and where he knows he could lose big. The elected official risks ten years of ineligibility, as well as ten years of imprisonment and a million euros fine. The verdict is expected to be delivered on November 22.