French Prosecutor Opens Preliminary Probe Into Macron Minister

A French prosecutor opened a preliminary probe into one of President Emmanuel Macron’s key ministers, maintaining pressure on the government in its first weeks in office.

Brest prosecutor Eric Mathais said his inquiry aims to establish whether Regional Development Minister Richard Ferrand committed any crime when, as managing director of the Mutuellles de Bretagne, he gave contracts to both his current partner and his former wife. Ferrand, one of the earliest backers of Macron’s presidential bid and the secretary general of his political party, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.