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Nicolas Sarkozy returns to politics after expenses ruling threatens UMP party Nicolas Sarkozy returns to politics after expenses ruling threatens UMP party
(3 months later)
Nicolas Sarkozy has returned to the political scene in Paris, vowing to fight back after his presidential campaign expenses were rejected by France's highest constitutional body, which has plunged his already cash-strapped party into financial turmoil.Nicolas Sarkozy has returned to the political scene in Paris, vowing to fight back after his presidential campaign expenses were rejected by France's highest constitutional body, which has plunged his already cash-strapped party into financial turmoil.
The former right-wing president, who lost to the Socialist François Hollande in 2012, had been keeping a relatively low profile in France as he travelled the world on well-paid speaking engagements. In recent months, his supporters in Paris had dropped hints and fed speculation about a political comeback to fight the presidential elections in 2017.The former right-wing president, who lost to the Socialist François Hollande in 2012, had been keeping a relatively low profile in France as he travelled the world on well-paid speaking engagements. In recent months, his supporters in Paris had dropped hints and fed speculation about a political comeback to fight the presidential elections in 2017.
His backers have always stopped short of confirming an election bid and Sarkozy was expected to keep silent until next summer before considering a political comeback. Recent gatherings, including a visit to David Cameron at Downing Street, fed rumours that his 2012 vow to quit politics could be overturned.His backers have always stopped short of confirming an election bid and Sarkozy was expected to keep silent until next summer before considering a political comeback. Recent gatherings, including a visit to David Cameron at Downing Street, fed rumours that his 2012 vow to quit politics could be overturned.
On Friday a decision by the constitutional council that Sarkozy had exceeded his 2012 campaign spending limits led the enraged former president to break his silence. The council upheld an earlier decision by an election watchdog that Sarkozy's budget went over the €22.5m (£20m) limit and failed to account for all his costs, including some rally spending, leaflets and travel. The ruling means Sarkozy's right-wing UMP, France's main opposition party, which is already deeply in debt, will be denied €11m in state subsidies.On Friday a decision by the constitutional council that Sarkozy had exceeded his 2012 campaign spending limits led the enraged former president to break his silence. The council upheld an earlier decision by an election watchdog that Sarkozy's budget went over the €22.5m (£20m) limit and failed to account for all his costs, including some rally spending, leaflets and travel. The ruling means Sarkozy's right-wing UMP, France's main opposition party, which is already deeply in debt, will be denied €11m in state subsidies.
Sarkozy immediately quit his seat on the constitutional council – an automatic position given to all ex-presidents – saying he wanted "freedom" to speak out. Then, on Facebook, he denounced the "unprecedented" decision that put his political party and "pluralism" in "peril". He vowed to take on his "responsibilities" in fighting for "the guarantee of freedom of democratic expression in our country". He asked the public to help and linked to a party fundraising campaign.Sarkozy immediately quit his seat on the constitutional council – an automatic position given to all ex-presidents – saying he wanted "freedom" to speak out. Then, on Facebook, he denounced the "unprecedented" decision that put his political party and "pluralism" in "peril". He vowed to take on his "responsibilities" in fighting for "the guarantee of freedom of democratic expression in our country". He asked the public to help and linked to a party fundraising campaign.
Although his reappearance on the political scene stopped short of a full election bid, French media speculated that a big TV or newspaper interview would now follow. Sarkozy's political supporters argued he was being victimised. He currently features in several corruption inquiries, including alleged illegal campaign funding from the frail L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt and alleged illegal campaign funding from the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2007. Other cases under investigation include alleged organised fraud over a payout to Bernard Tapie, a businessman and Sarkozy-supporter, misusing public funds to pay for opinion polls and allegedly using illegal kickbacks from arms sales to Pakistan to fund a political campaign in the 1990s.Although his reappearance on the political scene stopped short of a full election bid, French media speculated that a big TV or newspaper interview would now follow. Sarkozy's political supporters argued he was being victimised. He currently features in several corruption inquiries, including alleged illegal campaign funding from the frail L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt and alleged illegal campaign funding from the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2007. Other cases under investigation include alleged organised fraud over a payout to Bernard Tapie, a businessman and Sarkozy-supporter, misusing public funds to pay for opinion polls and allegedly using illegal kickbacks from arms sales to Pakistan to fund a political campaign in the 1990s.
Henri Guaino, an ally, said there was a "climate of Sarkozy-hunting" in France.Henri Guaino, an ally, said there was a "climate of Sarkozy-hunting" in France.
The UMP Paris MP Bernard Debré said Sarkozy's return to politics in reaction to the expenses ruling was not good for the UMP party. "It would be too early," he said. "If one simply returns to politics for vengeance against sanctions by the constitution council, it's not a good thing."The UMP Paris MP Bernard Debré said Sarkozy's return to politics in reaction to the expenses ruling was not good for the UMP party. "It would be too early," he said. "If one simply returns to politics for vengeance against sanctions by the constitution council, it's not a good thing."
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