Sarkozy bribing scandal messes with the French government

As outlined by the Economist, two junior ministers from the French government have resigned over expense report discrepancies like $ 15,000 Cuban cigars and $ 147,489 for a private jet to fly to “a conference devoted to the penniless victims of the Haiti earthquake.” Now numerous different scandals regarding the acceptance of illegal campaign contributions have touched French Labor Minister Eric Woerth and even President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Resource for this article: Sarkozy bribing scandal rocks French government by Personal Money Store

Sarkozy scandal could involve L’Oréal heiress

Eric Woerth and his wife may have known about alleged tax evasion perpetrated by Liliane Bettencourt, L’Oréal heiress and the richest woman in Europe. At many different dinner parties thrown by Bettencourt, it is apparently common knowledge (as outlined by NPR) the hearing-impaired 87-year-old heiress would distribute envelopes filled with cash to her “friends” who may have needed to borrow money fast to boost their political currency. Considering that Mrs. Woerth also works for Bettencourt in a money management venture, the blind eye turned to Bettencourt’s alleged tax evasion and the allegations of hundreds of thousands of dollars in what could amount to political bribes are particularly damning. Within the final act of “Sarkozy Scandal,” President Sarkozy accepted nearly $ 200,000 in envelope money when he was still mayor of Neuilly, a well-to-do Paris suburb.

French law only allows up to € 7,500 in their individual contributions

Fraud is taken very seriously in France, indicates The Economist. If a politician were to accept more than € 7,500 (just under $ 10,000 USD), authorities take notice. Nicolas Sarkozy and Eric Woerth have denied any and all wrongdoing, as has Bettencourt. Denials don’t actually help anyone. The Sarkozy scandal is one more indication that his reform efforts may have tightened the belt for the working class when maintaining a decadent status quo for the elite. The European Union has cracked down on banker bonuses; shouldn’t special attention be paid to politicians who may be in on the whole thing?

Charisma and insincerity from politicians

In a move that may be too little, President Sarkozy took the ax to the perks typically of course French politicians. Possibly he’s looking to prove to those beaten down that he understands their plight. Numerous critics find that once the engaging, even alluring presence is set aside, Nicolas Sarkozy is failing to connect with and serve the voting public. If his supposed need for additional cash and designed connection to any cash now services of Liliane Bettencourt are any indication, then Mr. Sarkozy’s scruples have a price.

More info accessible at these sites:

The Economist

economist.com/node/16539490?story_id=16539490&fsrc=rss

National Public Radio

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128376910

More on the biggest crisis of Sarkozy’s presidency:

youtube.com/watch?v=RTn9jldFpes