PARIS (AP) – French President Francois Hollande on Friday vigorously denounced suggestions by the conservative presidential hopeful that Hollande is trying to discredit political rivals behind the scenes by using dirty tricks.
The clash between the Socialist Hollande and the right-wing Francois Fillon threatens to further stain the French presidential campaign, already tainted by corruption scandals and voter frustration with the political establishment.
It has also drawn comparisons to President Donald Trump’s accusations of wiretapping by predecessor Barack Obama, and Trump’s attacks on the U.S. judicial system.
Fillon, whose presidential bid is flailing because of corruption charges, told France-2 television Thursday night that he wants an investigation into suggestions in an upcoming book that Hollande intervenes in legal cases for political reasons.
“I am going to accuse the president of the republic,” Fillon said. “If we are looking for a cabinet noir, we found the cabinet noir,” referring to an alleged secret bureau tasked with damaging political rivals.