- Title: MoDem leader says no misuse of EU funds, justifies leaving Macron government
- Date: 21st June 2017
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 21, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MODEM HEADQUARTERS VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS GOING INTO MODEM HEADQUARTERS JOURNALISTS WAITING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE MODEM LEADER AND OUTGOING FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, FRANCOIS BAYROU, ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE MODEM VICE PRESIDENT, MARIELLE DE SARNEZ, SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (French) MODEM LEADER AND OUTGOING FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, FRANCOIS BAYROU, SAYING: "We have never had fake jobs. All those who have worked for the MoDem had work contracts and pay slips and this will be easy to prove." JOURNALISTS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) MODEM LEADER AND OUTGOING FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, FRANCOIS BAYROU, SAYING: "I have no doubt that, even if my name has never been cited in this investigation and for good reason, I have no doubt that I was the true target of these denunciations, for the purpose of discrediting the words of the minister in charge of this law (on the moralization of public life)." JOURNALISTS JOURNALIST ASKING BAYROU A QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (French) MODEM LEADER AND OUTGOING FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, FRANCOIS BAYROU, SAYING: "I met with the President of the Republic to offer him this decision (Bayrou's resignation) two weeks ago, maybe three, the very day of the opening of the preliminary investigation." JOURNALIST TYPING ON PHONE BAYROU LISTENING TO QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (French) MODEM LEADER AND OUTGOING FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, FRANCOIS BAYROU, SAYING: "I have therefore put two and two together. I choose the freedom of judgement and the freedom of speech. I choose to preserve the law on moralization and trust in the democracy. I choose not to expose the government to misleading campaigns as well as the President of the Republic, whom I support." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION / BAYROU ANSWERING (SOUNDBITE) (French) MODEM LEADER AND OUTGOING FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, FRANCOIS BAYROU, SAYING: "My conviction is that the election of Emmanuel Macron is an opportunity for our country and an opportunity for Europe and for the stability of the world. My certainty is that he is up to the task." JOURNALISTS LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 5th July 2017 17:27
- Keywords: Francois Bayrou Emmanuel Macron MoDem Republic On The Move France parliament national assembly government
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016M83EIV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: PART VIDEO QUALITY AS INCOMING
Outgoing Justice Minister and MoDem party leader Francois Bayrou said on Wednesday (June 21) he resigned from his position to protect the French government after the center-right party was embroiled in a judicial probe into claims it misused EU parliamentary funds.
MoDem's importance as a Macron ally waned after President Emmanuel Macron's Republic on the Move (LREM) party won an absolute majority in Sunday's parliamentary election.
The centrist politician said he rejected the accusations his party is facing saying that it will be easy to prove that every work contract issued was legal.
Bayrou also reaffirmed his support to Macron, calling him "an opportunity for France," amidst rumours of tensions. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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