InfoAnda - Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

SKorea: Drills sent 'strong warning' to NKorea | 29 July 2010
Idols grieving Danny Gokey hopes to lighten up | Entertainment | | 20 February 2009
Heavy snow hits airports and roads across Europe | 1 December 2010

Al-Qaeda terror plot targeting Europe uncovered | 29 September 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search ADVERTISEMENT Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Photos Sitemap Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations AFP - Wednesday, July 7 Send IM Story Print Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations PARIS (AFP) - – Police on Tuesday probed allegations that President Nicolas Sarkozy's election campaign received illegal donations from France's richest woman throwing up the biggest crisis of his mandate. The French leader dismissed the charges as "smears" but he faces mounting calls from within his camp to make a stronger defence over the scandal engulfing the ruling party. Two ministers have already resigned this week for spending public money on cigars and luxury jets and pressure is growing on Labour Minister Eric Woerth for his role in the alleged funding that came from L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. "I would love it so much if the country could excite itself over the big problems ... rather than to get wrapped up in the first horror, a slander with only one goal, to smear with no basis in reality," Sarkozy said. Sarkozy did not directly address the allegations, but instead called for voters to concentrate on health care, pension reform and the economic recovery. Elected in 2007, Sarkozy's approval ratings are at their lowest levels ever and he faces an uphill battle to get his reform programme back on track before seeking re-election in 2012. New allegations have said that Woerth, the ruling UMP treasurer as well as a key minister, received 150,000 euros (188,000 dollars) in cash from Bettencourt. Donations to politicians and their parties are strictly limited in France. The investigative website Mediapart interviewed a former Bettencourt accountant, identified as Claire T., who alleged the heiress often gave cash to right-wing politicians. The accountant's lawyer, Antoine Gillot, confirmed to AFP that his client had told police about the alleged payments. According to Mediapart, the accountant also alleges that Sarkozy personally received envelopes of cash after dinners at Bettencourt's mansion when the future president was mayor of the Paris suburb of Neuilly. An aide to Sarkozy dismissed the report as "totally false". Woerth denied any wrongdoing and said he would not resign. Bettencourt scandal timeline He told I-Tele: "I am totally outraged. It's been eight years that I've been treasurer of my party and I don't think I've done anything wrong. Everything is transparent, everything is clean, everything is clear." Sarkozy defended Woerth after it was revealed that his wife worked for a firm managing Bettencourt's 17-billion-euro personal fortune. But, with the head of state now personally implicated in the scandal, key right-wing allies, including the UMP leader in parliament, Jean-Francois Cope, called on the president to "speak to the French people" about the scandal. Aides to the president confirmed he was considering making a televised statement. The Socialist leader of the parliamentary opposition, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said the Bettencourt inquiry had become a "political crisis at the head of government." Claire T. told police and Mediapart that Woerth received the donation in cash in March 2007, ahead of Sarkozy's election in May. Woerth has since served as Sarkozy's budget minister charged with fighting tax evasion by personalities like Bettencourt, and now as labour minister is fighting to push through pensions reform. Mediapart quoted Claire T. as saying she had been asked for 150,000 euros by Bettencourt's financial adviser Patrice de Maistre, who told her he would give it "discreetly" to Woerth at a dinner. The accountant, who worked for Bettencourt for 12 years until 2008, said she believed Sarkozy had also received envelopes in person while he was mayor between 1983 and 2002. "Everyone in the house knew that Sarkozy went to see the Bettencourts to collect money," Mediapart quoted her as saying. The scandal implicating the heiress started with secret tapes recorded by the 87-year-old billionaire's butler and leaked to media last month. Woerth's name came up in the conversations, in which she and Maistre -- who denies all the allegations -- allegedly plotted to evade taxes by moving assets abroad ahead of a crackdown ordered by Woerth. Seeking to regain the political initiative, Sarkozy on Sunday accepted the resignations of international development secretary Alain Joyandet and Christian Blanc, minister for the Paris region, over their personal expenses. Recommend Send IM Story Print News Search Top Stories Ryanair, Aer Lingus lose appeals in takeover battle Pamplona bans vuvuzelas ahead of bull run festival Lauvergeon stays in power at nuclear group Areva Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations Chavanel in yellow as Schlecks, Armstrong crash More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again Japanese probe yields insights into Moon's inner life Argentina claims victory on bond deal Paris Hilton arrested after Brazil World Cup match: reports BP oil spill costs spike above $3 bln More Most Viewed » Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts' Amputee cat gets bionic legs Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus? More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Factbox
Greece on target to tackle deficit
Turkey wants Israel apology but Israel rejects demand
UK coalition launches shake-up of political system |
Thousands mass near Gaza border for Shalit concert
Clinton vows support for Georgia, slams Russian 'occupation'
Bosnian ex-leader fights extradition attempt in Britain
Iran says planes denied fuel due to sanctions
Kyrgyz leader warns of new unrest
Britain, Germany, UAE deny refusing fuel to Iran planes
Tour peloton shrugs of cobblestone worry
Iranian planes can still refuel in Dubai: airport spokesman
EU parliament group backs U.S. bank data deal |
Biden defends Afghan war strategy
US commander Petraeus 'may tweak Afghan strategy'
Guinea security forces break march with tear gas |
Three NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Mexico state votes signal tough 2012 election race |
Iran says Germany, UK and UAE refuse fuel to its planes
France won't charge reporters, aid workers for rescue |
Romanian military aircraft crash kills 10 |
EU eyes visa-free travel for Taiwan visitors
Israelis, Palestinians call for prisoner exchange |
Pakistan end their Australia losing streak
Thailand seeks extension to emergency rule
Clinton concerned over Russian bases in Georgia region
Pakistan kills wanted Taliban commander
Chinese court sentences US geologist to 8 years
Galliano sends out a 'Wonderland' garden of couture for Dior
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Louis Gossett details career marred by racism and drugs
"Hannah Montana" starts final season as Miley moves on
"Twilight" sequel eclipsed by earlier installment
Woody Allen starts Paris shoot with Carla in the wings
Japanese eating champ released after hot dog scuffle
Senegal's men win Soccer v Soaps television war
Twilight sequel eclipsed by earlier installment |
Hannah Montana starts final season as Miley moves on |
Louis Gossett details career marred by racism and drugs |
Reports of planes denied refuelling are 'false': Iran
India's poor risk 'slow death' recycling 'e-waste'
Iranian planes are getting fuel
Ecuador says Colombia's Santos could be arrested |
Argentina claims victory on bond deal
US-TECH Summary
Afghanistan urges Pakistan to target terror groups
Digital upstarts still see potential in downloads
Obama and Netanyahu to hold fence-mending talks
Iranian planes are getting fuel: foreign ministry |
Fujitsu to let developers test software for free-Nikkei
4.2 billion dollars have left Kabul airport: report
News Corp in talks to sell ads on MySpace: report
McCain: Kandahar is key to victory in Afghan war
Cuban hunger striker says he is near death |
Israelis and Palestinians call for prisoner exchange
Thailand extends emergency rule in Bangkok: govt
Twelve die as Turkish troops clash with PKK |
Firebombs thrown at Indonesian magazine offices
New death in restive Indian Kashmir: police
Japan PM in danger of missing election target: report |
Greenpeace publicises companies on Indonesia paper
Celebrations as Dalai Lama turns 75
Vietnam murders blamed on World Cup
Aussie rockers to pay for 'Kookaburra' rip-off
Warmer White House welcome expected for Netanyahu
Australia plans to ship refugees to Timor
Power outage hits Toronto during Queen's visit
Japan parties pin poll hopes on celebrities
Philippine police say Chinese man rescued
Clinton vows support for Georgia, slams Russian 'occupation'
Eating champ leaves NY jail after hot dog fracas
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Fujitsu to let developers test software for free |
Google, Bing search engines turn to music |
Digital upstarts still see potential in downloads |
China sets new record investment in Japan bonds
News Corp in talks to sell ads on MySpace: report |
Greenpeace names, shames companies over deforestation
Seoul shares turn up 0.6 pct on autos, techs
Disney may start Shanghai park work in Nov: report
China to pump billions into western regions
Chinese city to become next gourmet hotspot
S.Lanka dismisses EU's trade concession withdrawal
China may strip sovereign wealth fund of bank stakes
Google, Bing search engines turn to music
Taiwan's Chinatrust: still seeks AIG unit stake
Enrique Iglesias mixes things up with new album
Restrictive Lollapalooza contract draws state scrutiny
PAKISTAN
S.Korea Q2 FDI plans down 6 pct y/y
Extraordinary "Inception" may leave you exhausted
Queen Elizabeth tours Toronto film studio
Fresh faces, new-look veterans enter Emmy spotlight
Barber of Seville director leaves La Scala production
Fresh faces, new-look veterans enter Emmy spotlight |
Extraordinary Inception may leave you exhausted |
Restrictive Lollapalooza contract draws state scrutiny |
Google, Bing search engines turn to music |
Enrique Iglesias mixes things up with new album |
New Twilight sequel trails previous film overseas |
Queen Elizabeth tours Toronto film studio |
Israeli soldier faces manslaughter charges over Gaza deaths
Lauvergeon stays in power at nuclear group Areva
Iran says planes get fuel; EU bans some for safety |
Global chip sales up 4.5 percent in May versus April: SIA
Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations
Iran agrees to resume nuclear talks, with conditions
Obama and Netanyahu to hold fence-mending talks |
Ryanair, Aer Lingus lose appeals in takeover battle
Dutch cabinet advisors ban Twitter during talks
Spain's FM in Cuba as hunger-striker nears death
New sanctions seen hurting Iran businesses in Dubai
Sri Lanka hardliners protest U.N. war crimes probe |
Netflix inks movie deal with Relativity Media
Chavanel in yellow as Schlecks, Armstrong crash
Bus driver 'shoots dead six near Cairo'
China denounces new unilateral U.S. sanctions on Iran |
Polish PM vows to work closely with new president |
Egyptian driver shoots dead six labourers
Thai government extends state of emergency |
Turkish troops clash with PKK, 13 killed
Hundreds of thousands mourn Lebanon's Fadlallah |
Global chip sales up 4.5 percent in May versus April: SIA
Yemen faces Qaeda, pirate threats in vital strait |
Israeli and Turkish generals still talking amid row |
Putin sets out new strategy for N.Caucasus |
Thai government extends state of emergency
Philippine Supreme Court gets on Facebook, Twitter
China says jailing of U.S. geologist its own affair
Japan's NHK won't air sumo meet over mob scandals
Netflix inks movie deal with Relativity Media |
Global chip sales up 4.5 percent in May versus April: SIA |
Dutch cabinet advisors ban Twitter during talks |
At Sun Valley, brighter moods may not mean big deals |
IMF says time is right for higher S.Korea policy rate
Canadian rockers Arcade Fire maintain DIY mystique
New "Twilight" sequel trails previous film overseas
Pakistani rupee falls to record low; stocks still dull
Sluggish Asian markets revive on Shanghai rebound
DEALTALK-MBK's $2 bln Taiwan auction may have broader PE impact
S.Korea govt official sees August rate rise -report
S.Korea c.bank to sell 2.5 trln won in MSB on Wed
Seoul shares turn up 0.6 pct on auto, tech issues
George Michael arrested after car crash |
Canadian rockers Arcade Fire maintain DIY mystique |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01