France: Borne disavows Dupond-Moretti by laundering two PNF magistrates
French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and Minister of Justice Éric Dupond-Moretti, at the presidential palace in Paris, September 15, 2022. © AP - Ludovic Marin
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The French Prime Minister has decided to put an end to the disciplinary proceedings initiated at the request of Éric Dupond-Moretti against two magistrates of the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF).
A snub for the Keeper of the Seals, who is suspected of having used his status as Minister of Justice to settle personal accounts.
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In accordance with the opinion of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), Elisabeth Borne considers that there is no need to sanction two magistrates of the PNF, the national financial prosecutor's office.
The story could end there, but here it is: this decision by the head of the French government puts a stop to the proceedings initiated by one of his ministers, Éric Dupond-Moretti.
Freshly appointed Keeper of the Seals, the former lawyer had, on his arrival at Place Vendôme, ordered the initiation of proceedings against the former head of the PNF, Éliane Houlette, as well as his current number two, Patrice Amar.
Mr. Dupond-Moretti did not appreciate that the PNF peeled some of his telephone records during investigations aimed at flushing out a mole who was able to inform ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy that he was wiretapped.
In 2020, following a complaint filed by the Anticor association, an investigation for illegal taking of interests was opened against Éric Dupond-Moretti.
A month ago, the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) ordered a trial against the Keeper of the Seals, a first.
The minister appealed in cassation;
his referral to the judges is suspended for the time being.
►To re-read: Dupond-Moretti referred to the Court of Justice of the Republic on suspicion of conflicts of interest
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Eric Dupond-Moretti
Elisabeth Borne
French politics
Justice