A French examining magistrate has launched a full formal judicial investigation into former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, the Paris National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) announced.
The politician, who currently serves as Mayor of Le Havre and is considered one of the potential candidates in the 2027 presidential election, is suspected of misappropriation of public funds, favouritism, illegal receipt of interests, and abuse of authority.
The investigation covers the period of his tenure as Mayor of Le Havre and relates to the management of city projects, in particular the activities of the “Digital City” (Cité numérique) initiative between 2020 and 2022. According to sources, the case was triggered by a tip-off from an internal whistleblower — a senior official from the Le Havre metropolitan authority.
Previously, in April 2024, searches were conducted at Le Havre City Hall and the premises of the urban agglomeration as part of a preliminary inquiry. The case has now moved to a new stage: an examining magistrate has been appointed to conduct a full formal judicial investigation.
Édouard Philippe himself stated that he learned of the investigation through the press and intends to answer all the judge’s questions “very calmly.” His entourage emphasises that the politician is fully cooperating with investigators and denies all allegations.
Édouard Philippe served as Prime Minister of France from 2017 to 2020 under President Emmanuel Macron. After leaving government, he returned to his post as Mayor of Le Havre and founded the centre-right party Horizons. In recent months, he has been actively signalling his presidential ambitions for 2027.