Emmanuel Macron did not mince his words against Marine Le Pen, whom he accuses of "depending on Russian power" because of a loan that the RN borrowed from a Russian bank.
Le Figaro
takes stock of what you need to know on the subject.
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Statements by Emmanuel Macron
“
I say this with great seriousness, you depend on Russian power and Mr. Putin.
You took out a loan in 2015 from a Russian bank close to the government and then you re-boutiqued this loan with other actors who are involved in the war in Syria, so you don't talk to other leaders you talk to your banker and that is perhaps why when it is necessary to make courageous decisions, neither you nor your representatives are there
, ”said the president-candidate.
And to add:
"You have always been ambiguous on the subject because you are not in a power-to-power situation, your interests are linked to those of Russia".
A loan dating from 2014
In 2014, the former National Front party (now National Rally) with a Russian bank actually took out a loan of 9 million euros.
To date, the RN continues to repay this loan which was initially taken out with the First Czech-Russian Bank (FCBR), closed in 2016.
The debt had been sold to a Russian car rental company, Conti, then resold to Aviazaptchast, a firm run by former Russian soldiers.
Critics of Alexei Navalny
Emmanuel Macron's tirade follows criticism expressed on Wednesday by Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny on Twitter.
"It is without hesitation that I call on the French to vote for Emmanuel Macron on April 24, but I would like to address those who do not rule out voting for Marine Le Pen.
It is bribery.
And it is a sale of political influence to Putin”, denounced the activist.
“This bank (FCBR) is a well-known money laundering agency that was established at Putin's instigation.
Would you like it if a French politician got a loan from Cosa Nostra?”, launched Wednesday Alexeï Navalny, who built his notoriety with his investigations into the networks of corruption of the Russian elite.
Marine Le Pen's answer
Marine Le Pen does not deny the existence of such a loan, but denies being politically dependent on Russia.
“We are a poor party, but that is not dishonorable,” replied the candidate, who described herself as “
totally free
”.
To justify having turned to a Russian financial institution, the FN accused him, the French banks of not granting him loans.