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| Allies of Former French Leader Express Shock at New Investigation | Allies of Former French Leader Express Shock at New Investigation |
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| PARIS — Allies of former President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed shock and “incomprehension” on Friday after he was informed Thursday that he would face a formal investigation into whether he abused the frailty of Liliane Bettencourt, 90, the heiress to the L’Oréal fortune and France’s richest woman, to get funds for his 2007 presidential campaign. | PARIS — Allies of former President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed shock and “incomprehension” on Friday after he was informed Thursday that he would face a formal investigation into whether he abused the frailty of Liliane Bettencourt, 90, the heiress to the L’Oréal fortune and France’s richest woman, to get funds for his 2007 presidential campaign. |
| Mr. Sarkozy has denied accepting illegal campaign funds from Ms. Bettencourt, either personally or through his party treasurer at the time, Éric Woerth, as alleged by her former butler. | Mr. Sarkozy has denied accepting illegal campaign funds from Ms. Bettencourt, either personally or through his party treasurer at the time, Éric Woerth, as alleged by her former butler. |
| Mr. Sarkozy’s lawyer, Thierry Herzog, called the judge’s decision, which indicates that the judge believes that Mr. Sarkozy probably committed a crime, “incoherent” and “unjust.” The lawyer said he would appeal. The ruling does not necessarily mean that Mr. Sarkozy, who lost his re-election bid last May and with it his presidential immunity from prosecution, will stand trial. | Mr. Sarkozy’s lawyer, Thierry Herzog, called the judge’s decision, which indicates that the judge believes that Mr. Sarkozy probably committed a crime, “incoherent” and “unjust.” The lawyer said he would appeal. The ruling does not necessarily mean that Mr. Sarkozy, who lost his re-election bid last May and with it his presidential immunity from prosecution, will stand trial. |
| The former president is in a “state of mind of incomprehension,” said Jean-François Copé, president of Mr. Sarkozy’s UMP political party, who told television channel France 2 he had spoken with him Thursday night. Mr. Copé said he felt the same incomprehension. | The former president is in a “state of mind of incomprehension,” said Jean-François Copé, president of Mr. Sarkozy’s UMP political party, who told television channel France 2 he had spoken with him Thursday night. Mr. Copé said he felt the same incomprehension. |
| Other political allies on the right professed their shock, with some suggesting a conspiracy against the former president, who has reportedly been weighing a return to politics. | Other political allies on the right professed their shock, with some suggesting a conspiracy against the former president, who has reportedly been weighing a return to politics. |
| “It’s a political act,” lawmaker Thierry Mariani told Le Monde. “Certain magistrates have grudges to settle with the former president of the republic, and have hidden political urges.” | “It’s a political act,” lawmaker Thierry Mariani told Le Monde. “Certain magistrates have grudges to settle with the former president of the republic, and have hidden political urges.” |
| On Twitter, Mr. Mariani’s parliamentary colleague Lionnel Luca wondered if President François Hollande had not somehow influenced the magistrate investigating the Bettencourt case. | |
| “The only chance for François Hollande in 2017 is to eliminate by all means the possibility of a candidacy of the only adversary who can defeat him!” | “The only chance for François Hollande in 2017 is to eliminate by all means the possibility of a candidacy of the only adversary who can defeat him!” |
| On the left, reactions were more guarded, perhaps, French news media suggested, given the resignation earlier in the week of Mr. Hollande’s budget minister, Jérôme Cahuzac, after the announcement that he would be formally investigated on suspicion of tax fraud and money laundering. | On the left, reactions were more guarded, perhaps, French news media suggested, given the resignation earlier in the week of Mr. Hollande’s budget minister, Jérôme Cahuzac, after the announcement that he would be formally investigated on suspicion of tax fraud and money laundering. |
| “I say it’s normal,” housing minister Cécile Duflot told French media. The investigation of Mr. Sarkozy proves that “the justice system does its work freely,” Ms. Duflot said. | “I say it’s normal,” housing minister Cécile Duflot told French media. The investigation of Mr. Sarkozy proves that “the justice system does its work freely,” Ms. Duflot said. |
| A spokesman for Mr. Hollande’s Socialist Party said the accusations against Mr. Sarkozy were “grave for a former president,” but noted that his predecessor must be presumed innocent until the contrary is proven. | A spokesman for Mr. Hollande’s Socialist Party said the accusations against Mr. Sarkozy were “grave for a former president,” but noted that his predecessor must be presumed innocent until the contrary is proven. |