French prosecutor opens probe against Macron’s former PM Edouard Philippe

PARIS — The town hall in the Norman port city of Le Havre was raided by police on Wednesday, as investigators probe the city’s mayor, Edouard Philippe, who has been accused of a series of alleged wrongdoings including harassment and misusing public funds, Le Monde reported.

According to the French daily, financial prosecutors are investigating a multi-year agreement signed by Philippe — who served as prime minister under Emmanuel Macron’s presidency from 2017 to 2020 — and Stéphanie de Bazelaire, one of his deputy mayors. The agreement granted a nonprofit organization presided over by de Bazelaire the task of managing Le Havre’s innovation center, Le Monde said.

The investigation was launched after a former metropolitan community employee, whose contract was not renewed by Philippe, lodged a legal complaint in September.

In a statement, the city of Le Havre confirmed the raid, which it labelled as “customary in this sort of investigation.”

Philippe was the first prime minister appointed by Macron after his election and remains France’s most favorably viewed politician, according to an Ipsos poll released last month.

He’s also considered a likely contender in the 2027 presidential contest. In February, Philippe told a local radio station he was “preparing himself” ahead of the vote.