French government unveils bill to clean up politics

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA)- French Justice Minister Francois Bayrou has revealed on Thursday a key legislative bill, promised by President Emmanuel Macron, that aims at setting more transparent and tighter ethical standards for politicians and holders of public office following a series of corruption scandals.

The reform bill -- entitled "For confidence in our democratic life"-- requires a constitutional reform in some of its parts. It will be examined by the parliament in the form of two bills before the end of June.

"For years we have seen practices develop that have damaged people’s confidence in their elected representatives and provoked a profound exasperation among French [citizens}," Bayrou told a news conference as he outlined the main points of the reform.

He added the bill was not about solving "personal problems of morality” but to eliminate misconduct and conflicts of interest.

Among the set of measures: barring MPs from hiring family members as their parliamentary assistants or indeed in any other roles; MPs, senators and members of local authorities will be forbidden from standing for reelection to the same position more than once and ministers will be banned from having seats on local councils.

Also political parties will not be allowed to accept funding from groups such as businesses, apart from European banks and parties and former presidents will no longer sit on the Constitutional Council and the Court of Justice of the Republic is to be abolished.

The announcement comes as two ministers of Macron's government are facing misconduct allegations.

Richard Ferrand, the minister of territorial cohesion, and close ally of Macron is facing a preliminary probe over possible nepotism and conflicts of interest in property deals, which both his ex-wife, Francoise Coustal, and his current partner, Sandrine Doucen, allegedly benefited from.

European Affairs Minister Marielle de Sarnez is also among 19 French MEPs facing misconduct allegations over hiring an assistant at the European Parliament.

Despite the recent controversies, Macron’s La Republique en Marche (LREM) movement still leading in polls ahead of two-round legislative elections on June 11 and June 18.