Black Monday for the Government of France. Elysée’s general secretary, alexis ridingHe was charged on September 23 for allegedly committing a crime. illegal conflict of interest with the multinational Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is one of the giants of the maritime industry. By the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office this Monday afternoon, this morning the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupon Morettito be judged by another issue conflict of interest. While not making a statement to the media, Kohler represents an important part of the government machinery of the French presidency. So much so that he is known as the “shadow vice president” of Emmanuel Macron.
French Justice had targeted Kohler since 2018, but had not charged him so far. Anti-corruption prosecutor, secretary general elysium -A fundamental position in the French presidential system- crime past conflict of interest. Kohler, who served as the deputy director of the State Participation Agency (APE) between 2008 and 2010, was therefore on the board of the Saint-Nazaire shipyards, the most important shipyard in the neighboring country. Its main client was the Swiss company. MSCIt was founded by Kohler’s mother’s first sister and was chaired by his uncle.
revolving doors
Kohler then joined five votes in favor of MSC and three on the board of Le Havre port, according to the digital newspaper. media division. A few years later, while serving as cabinet director at the Ministry of Economy, he received numerous e-mails on matters related to the Swiss multinational. After leaving Bercy in 2016, he worked as CFO at MSC with a monthly salary of 28,000 euros. And indeed, he aligned this position with the direction of Macron’s 2017 presidential election campaign.
“The purpose of our initiative is not to harm Kohler, revolving doors Condemning this event, the vice-presiding judge of the Anticor association, Eric Alt, explained to El Periódico de Catalunya in May. issue before the courts. The shadow of the links between number two of the Elysée and MSC also hovers over one of the most used. specific Presidency of Liberal Macron: The nationalization of the Saint-Nazaire shipyards announced in July 2017, which paralyzed the acquisition of this infrastructure by the Italian state-owned Fincantieri, a move the Swiss multinational opposes.
Macron’s right-hand man
Following the release of the indictment this Monday, Kohler reacted with the release of a statement by his lawyer that he “responded violently to committing any crime”. “Kohler was accused of having an unlawful conflict of interest based on facts dating back more than a decade, not taking into account many of the factors in his favour.” Since the case came to light, the Elysee’s general secretary has defended herself by letting her superiors know about her situation. family ties He said he had spoken to MSC and never agreed with the decisions affecting the Swiss group.
While being blamed doesn’t mean guilt, this announcement weakens the figure of Macron’s main collaborator. Since the centrist leader’s appointment as economy minister in August 2014, the two have worked hand in hand and are inseparable. Despite the judgmental shadow that hung over him, the president did not want to leave his friend. Right handarousing great suspicion in macronism sectors because of its strength in the shadows.
In fact, Kohler influenced his decision to appoint in May. Elizabeth Borne as prime minister, although the liberal leader is considering other names. He is also responsible for relations between Elysee and big businessmen. An essential piece, but a splashy corruption. This undermines the original promise of macroism to enliven and glorify politics.