French presidential candidate Édouard Philippe designated 'assisted witness' in embezzlement case

Former French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has been designated an assisted witness in an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds at the Le Havre metropolitan authority. Philippe, a presidential candidate for the Horizons party and mayor of Le Havre, faced questioning by financial judges on Thursday. His lawyer, Emmanuel Marsigny, stated Philippe welcomes the assisted witness status, which is less severe than formal investigation, indicating no wrongdoing.

The case stems from allegations raised in 2023 by former deputy director general Cornelia Findeisen, who also filed a second complaint in 2025, requesting to join proceedings as a civil party. Philippe became authority president in July 2020 and signed a €2.154 million funding deal for the Cité Numérique innovation hub with Stéphanie de Bazelaire, the voluntary president of the LH French Tech association.

Findeisen claims she faced harassment and was sidelined after exposing this arrangement. Philippe's questioning suggests her alert was warranted for examination.