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Ségolène Royal should be dismissed from her position as pole ambassador on January 24, 2020 while an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office is open into her ambassadorial expenses. AFP Photos / Lionel BONAVENTURE

The National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) has opened a preliminary investigation into the use made by Ségolène Royal of the means made available to her as ambassador of the poles, according to Franceinfo radio. The investigation was entrusted to the Economic Crime Suppression Brigade, which began its investigations a month ago following revelations from the Radio France investigation cell.

The former socialist candidate for the 2007 presidential election was accused of having possibly used the envelope made available to her for her ambassadorial expenses, in particular for the promotion of one of her books according to a Radio France survey .

Ségolène Royal has held the position of pole ambassador on a voluntary basis since 2017. Responsible for international negotiations for the Arctic and Antarctic poles, she has an envelope of 100,000 euros per year and three collaborators, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the pinning franceinfo investigation , the former minister had reacted by denouncing " innuendos " according to her " slanderous and defamatory ".

Letter published on Facebook

This information comes when she said Tuesday January 14 to be dismissed. The former Minister of the Environment released a letter sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ecological Transition threatening to end her duties as ambassador of the Poles.

Ségolène Royal has decided to distribute this letter openly on her Facebook account. This is a letter dated December 7 which recalls his recent public statements questioning government policy.

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Attack on government

The former socialist presidential candidate of 2007 has in fact multiplied the attacks against the government around various subjects such as pesticides, pension reform and Emmanuel Macron's proximity to the " world of global business ".

However, according to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of the Ecological Transition, as ambassador of the Poles, Ségolène Royal is held to a duty of reserve. This letter therefore warns her that it is planned to terminate her duties as ambassador. And that this possibility would be examined at a forthcoming Council of Ministers.

But for Ségolène Royal things are clear. According to her, the President of the Republic will end his functions. She says she does not want to give up her freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed by the Constitution. According to France Inter, the Elysee Palace has indicated that this dismissal will take effect after the Council of Ministers on January 24, when, " on the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his functions as ambassador of the poles will be terminated ".

► To read also: In France, Ségolène Royal, ambassador of the poles, convened to the Assembly