"
If there is evidence of manipulation, let it go to the criminal court
", Emmanuel Macron launched on Sunday to those who reproach him for the numerous contracts signed by the State with consulting firms, in particular McKinsey, revealed by the Senate. .
"
We have the impression that there are tricks, that's not true
," he replied with annoyance on France 3. "
No contract has been signed in the Republic without respecting the rule of public markets
", "
that anyone who has proof that there is manipulation bring the contract into question in criminal proceedings
", he repeated.
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“
I am not convinced that under this five-year term there have been fewer contracts than under certain others, including those who attack us today
”, he defended himself – obviously wanting to say more contracts rather than less .
For him, when ministries are "
day and night at work
", "
that they ask for external service providers to help them does not shock me
".
Read alsoDoes the consulting firm McKinsey escape corporate tax in France?
While McKinsey is also implicated by the Senate for not having paid corporate tax in France for years, the candidate president considered that this was explained by the tax rules in force.
But “
I fought
” to introduce a minimum tax on large companies, he said, “
and in a few months these cases could be banned
”.
Multiplication of contracts
The Senate revealed on March 17 that state contracts with these firms had "
more than doubled
" between 2018 and 2021, reaching a record of more than one billion euros in 2021. In addition, senators seized on Friday justice for "
suspicion of false testimony
" against a McKinsey executive who claimed that his firm paid corporate tax in France.
The subject is politically sensitive for the executive, accused since Emmanuel Macron came to power of multiplying contracts with these private consulting groups, with contracts most often not disclosed to the public.
The Insoumis have thus taken up the case, denouncing “
a state scandal
”.
Read also“McKinsey never enters the field of political decision-making”
The senators cited contracts such as that of "
nearly 4 million euros to McKinsey for the reform of the APL
", the creation of the "
barometer of public action
" for which Capgemini received 3.12 million euros or the use of the firm EY, for 2.4 million euros, for the creation of the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion.
McKinsey also obtained 496,800 euros in 2020 to "
shed light on developments in the teaching profession
" and carried out a study on their merit pay.
