Sarkozy’s campaign accounts: the dissensions in the UMP in … – Le Point

Three days after the success of his camp in the departmental elections has strengthened its leadership on the right, Nicolas Sarkozy is again facing justice at the risk of darkening political horizon from the perspective of 2017. The former head of state was heard Wednesday by the judges of the financial center for its penalties set by the UMP and placed under the status of “assisted witness”. This question, related to the excess cost of his 2012 presidential campaign, is distinct from the “Bygmalion case,” which also rebounded Wednesday with custody of three leaders of the campaign.

The UMP she had to pay in place of Nicolas Sarkozy that fine of more than 360 000, which he repaid after his election to the presidency of the UMP, public action is not extinguished for much? Beyond the legal questions is the question of the weight of judicial affairs on the ambitions of the former head of state, who wants to be again.

“I sincerely hope that it will invoke its rights “merely react Alain Juppé, candidate for the primary. Friends of Nicolas Sarkozy protested his good faith. “There is no fraudulent intent on the part of Sarkozy since, according to two notes Bercy, a political party has the right to adjust these penalties,” argues an elected UMP. According to “lawyer by training,” the judges’ decision “will make case law. In law, I do not see how Sarkozy could be condemned.”

“A political settlement accounts”

This record reveals dissension among tenors of the UMP in the perspective of the primary that will nominate the candidate of their political family as president. The link sarkozystes responsibility of François Fillon. Former Prime Minister defends vigorously.

Catherine Vautrin, former treasurer of the UMP, indicted in this case (as well as Jean-Francois Cope, former president of the party), said the judges in December had “very unpleasant impression being in the middle of a political settlement of accounts. ”

Monday, when the UMP political bureau, a bittersweet exchange took place between Sarkozy and Cope, but was “really Fillon,” according to participants. “Since we won, why change the name of the UMP?” asked Jean-Francois Cope, Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing to rebrand its formation. “But that’s because he has a criminal calendar to manage you know, dear Jean-François” retorted Nicolas Sarkozy.

“Hatred”

Following his remarks promising more of a likely tightening between rival for pre-presidential. “There has never been such a level of hatred in our party, with people who denounce other criminal. All this will be on the public square,” warned Nicolas Sarkozy.

In his sights: François Fillon. While Philippe Blanchetier, Sarkozy’s lawyer, had justified, in July 2013, the payment by the UMP the penalty imposed on his client (amount included, he said, in the 11 million euros reported by the “Sarkothon” July 2013), that of Fillon François Sureau, had reached the end of June 2014 to the opposite conclusion. Meanwhile, Bercy cashed the UMP check. On July 1, the statutory accounts of the UMP denounced with prosecutors support the candidate of penalties by the party. The fillonistes deny any link between the note of Mr. Sureau and approach of Commissioners.

“Sowing discord right”

The facts collide with a lunch on June 24, 2014, between it and Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Secretary General the Elysee. According to Le Monde , the first would have asked the second “type” judicially on Sarkozy. The former prime minister denies vehemently accusing “Hollande to be behind this trap” and “seeking to sow discord right.”

“A new case against Sarkozy makes pschitt,” tweeted Eric Ciotti Sarkozy on Wednesday after the hearing by the judges.

The party secretary general Laurent Wauquiez said he did not believe that the primary can be played on business and hope that “no such ulterior motive.” “I think at the Elysee, these cases are followed carefully, if we use the” accused the spokesman of the UMP, Sébastien Huyghe, denouncing “instrumentalization of justice.”