French MPs call for probe into Russian funding of country’s parties

As reported by Le Figaro, the appeal was made after a declassified U.S. intelligence report was published, stating that Russia had paid several hundred million euros to political forces in several countries, Ukrinform reports.

In a press release published on Saturday, the legislators refer to a letter sent the day before to the head of the National Assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet, in which they justify the need for such an investigation "in view of the seriousness of the facts" and that the established information can be "brought to the attention of citizens of France and our justice system."

It is about "finding out whether French political parties – and which ones – have benefited off Russian funding," lawmakers say. They refer to "the position of several leading French political leaders in favor of Russia", as well as "loans granted to finance election campaigns, the sums of which are still being paid out years later", or even "former French parliamentarians and ministers being appointed (to positions - ed.) in Russian companies."

According to a declassified U.S. intelligence paper released on September 13, Russia has reportedly paid several hundred million euros to political parties in several countries since 2014 to boost its influence and meddle in national elections.

Photo: Le Figaro