Sarkozy dismisses allegations
Source: Agencies |
July 7, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday denied allegations that his party had received illegal campaign donations from France's richest woman via the current Labor Minister Eric Woerth.
The allegation stems from a former bookkeeper for Liliane Bettencourt, main shareholder in the cosmetics giant L'Oreal, and promptly raised pressure on Sarkozy to bring forward a reshuffle of his government, which is battered by sleaze allegations.
The bookkeeper, named only as Claire T., told the news website Mediapart she had been involved in withdrawing 150,000 euros (US$200,000) in cash to be given to Woerth in unmarked envelopes as a donation to Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign.
Claire T.'s lawyer confirmed that she had given a statement to police on Monday. Bettencourt's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
At a round-table on public health, Sarkozy said Woerth was a victim of calumny "without the slightest reality" and he wished people would take more interest in issues such as health care and pensions rather than in "those who create scandals."
Woerth, who is treasurer of the ruling center-right UMP party and was treasurer of Sarkozy's 2007 campaign, denied taking a single euro in illegal donations.
Woerth is leading a major pensions reform and is a key ally of the president, whose approval rating hit an all-time low of 26 percent last week amid sleaze allegations against ministers.
"I've been treasurer of my party for eight years and I think no one can accuse me of anything. Everything is clear, everything is clean," Woerth told the news channel ITele.
Woerth added that he had no intention of resigning.
French law limits donations to parties to 7,500 euros per person per year. Only 150 euros may be given in cash.
Members of Sarkozy's party urged him to bring forward a reshuffle planned for October, and address the nation before he goes on his summer holiday on July 14.
UMP parliamentarian Marie-Anne Montchamp said: "We are stuck in a crisis. There needs to be a reshuffle, and a fast one."
The allegation stems from a former bookkeeper for Liliane Bettencourt, main shareholder in the cosmetics giant L'Oreal, and promptly raised pressure on Sarkozy to bring forward a reshuffle of his government, which is battered by sleaze allegations.
The bookkeeper, named only as Claire T., told the news website Mediapart she had been involved in withdrawing 150,000 euros (US$200,000) in cash to be given to Woerth in unmarked envelopes as a donation to Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign.
Claire T.'s lawyer confirmed that she had given a statement to police on Monday. Bettencourt's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
At a round-table on public health, Sarkozy said Woerth was a victim of calumny "without the slightest reality" and he wished people would take more interest in issues such as health care and pensions rather than in "those who create scandals."
Woerth, who is treasurer of the ruling center-right UMP party and was treasurer of Sarkozy's 2007 campaign, denied taking a single euro in illegal donations.
Woerth is leading a major pensions reform and is a key ally of the president, whose approval rating hit an all-time low of 26 percent last week amid sleaze allegations against ministers.
"I've been treasurer of my party for eight years and I think no one can accuse me of anything. Everything is clear, everything is clean," Woerth told the news channel ITele.
Woerth added that he had no intention of resigning.
French law limits donations to parties to 7,500 euros per person per year. Only 150 euros may be given in cash.
Members of Sarkozy's party urged him to bring forward a reshuffle planned for October, and address the nation before he goes on his summer holiday on July 14.
UMP parliamentarian Marie-Anne Montchamp said: "We are stuck in a crisis. There needs to be a reshuffle, and a fast one."
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