Corruption Suspicions Over €2 Million Haunt French Presidential Candidate Édouard Philippe

French investigators questioned presidential candidate Édouard Philippe, who previously served as Prime Minister, on Thursday in a corruption case, according to sources close to the file told AFP.

Two investigating judges examining allegations related to misuse of public funds, favoritism, and harassment heard from Philippe in this case as an "assisted witness," a classification less serious than being formally under investigation.

The case is linked to Philippe when he was mayor of the coastal city of Le Havre in northern France.

When asked about the "assisted witness" status, his lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny told AFP, "Édouard Philippe welcomes this positive decision which confirms that he committed no wrongdoing in this case."

Jérôme Carcenti, lawyer for the former civil servant who filed the complaint, told AFP on Thursday that they welcome the progress of the investigation.

Philippe, who served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2020, rejected all charges brought against him.

The former government employee claims her employment contract for the period from 2020 to 2023 was not renewed, and that she was harassed after revealing those allegations.

The employee alleges that an organization named "LH French Tech" was awarded a contract in 2020 to manage a digital center, after it was the only bidder.

The organization, established in the same month and headed by the deputy mayor, was set to receive more than two million euros over several years to manage the center aimed at encouraging digital innovation.

The complaint indicates that the investigating judge must assess whether an agreement was concluded between the mayor and his deputy involving "providing political and financial support in exchange for taking over management of the digital center."

Philippe ran for the presidential elections scheduled for next year representing the "Horizons" party, which belongs to the center-right movement, and is currently trailing in polls compared to rivals from the far right and far left.