French Judge Opens Corruption Probe Into Edouard Philippe, Blow to Centrist Presidential Hopeful

A French judge has opened an inquiry into centrist politician Edouard Philippe over accusations of harassment, misappropriation of public funds, favouritism, conflict of interest, and extortion, the French financial prosecutor said on Tuesday. Philippe, who served as prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron for three years and recently won re-election as mayor of the northern city of Le Havre, is vying to become president in next year's election.

A spokesperson for Philippe acknowledged the opening of a judicial investigation, saying that Philippe learned about it from the press and that he will respond to all questions from judicial authorities as he always has – in a very calm manner. Police searched Philippe's office premises in 2024 as part of a preliminary probe into corruption. His office said at the time that he was cooperating with authorities.

Philippe had been considered by some as the best-placed mainstream candidate to beat the far-right National Rally (RN) candidate in next year's election. That calculation may now need revision. Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader, was handed a five-year ban from holding public office after she and eight other former RN lawmakers were found guilty of misusing over €4 million in EU funds. She has appealed the decision. The French political landscape, already volatile, is now further unsettled. One mainstream contender is under judicial investigation. The far-right leader is banned – for now – pending appeal. The election is next year. And the voters are watching.

Philippe says he is calm. He learned about the investigation from the press. His office was searched in 2024. He said he cooperated then. He says he will cooperate now. The allegations are serious: harassment, misappropriation of public funds, favouritism, conflict of interest, extortion. That is not a minor procedural infraction. That is a laundry list. The judge has opened an inquiry. The financial prosecutor has spoken. The presidential race, which seemed to be shaping up as a contest between Philippe and the RN, now has two wounded frontrunners. Le Pen is fighting her ban. Philippe is fighting a criminal investigation. And Macron, who cannot run again, is watching from the sidelines. French politics has never been boring. This year, it is also becoming unpredictable. The only certainty is that the next election will be fought in the courts as much as on the campaign trail. In France, that is almost traditional. The difference is that this time, both sides are in the dock.