Jean-Paul Huchon

In June 2024, Jean-Paul Huchon was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended, a fine of 10 000 euros and a one-year disqualification from standing for election for illegal taking of interest. The case concerned a grant of 60 000 euros awarded by the region in 2014 to the Green Lotus association under conditions deemed irregular.

In 2016, Jean-Paul Huchon was considered for the presidency of the Autorité de régulation des activités ferroviaires et routières, triggering accusations that a former regional president was being given another position and questions about the independence required to lead the regulator.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After seeking a fourth term as head of Île-de-France, Jean-Paul Huchon ultimately withdrew his candidacy in May 2015 in favour of Claude Bartolone, under strong pressure from the socialist leadership. The succession caused internal tensions and prompted highly bitter statements from Huchon.

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Council of State ruled that the region's transport communications campaign constituted a benefit provided by a legal entity to candidate Jean-Paul Huchon and rejected his campaign accounts. The value of this publicly funded benefit was estimated at approximately 1.5 million euros.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the 2010 regional election campaign, Jean-Paul Huchon imitated Valérie Pécresse's voice and mannerisms at a rally. The UMP denounced the behaviour as male-chauvinist and sexist, turning the episode into a campaign controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Jean-Paul Huchon was convicted in 2007 of illegal taking of interest because the region had awarded contracts to companies employing his wife, Dominique Le Texier. At first instance, he received a six-month suspended prison sentence, a fine of 60 000 euros and a one-year disqualification from standing for election.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

In 2005, the majority led by Jean-Paul Huchon increased regional taxation to finance its transport, housing and employment priorities. The increase prompted strong criticism from the right and a national debate about higher local taxes in regions that had shifted to the left.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Jean-Paul Huchon entered into a confrontation with the State over the financial terms of transferring the Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France to the region. He considered the resources being transferred insufficient and threatened not to assume responsibility for the arrangement under those conditions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Shortly after becoming president of Île-de-France, Jean-Paul Huchon was defeated on the regional budget by an ad hoc majority bringing together the right and elected representatives of the Front national. The left had to resort to the legal mechanism allowing the regional budget to be adopted without an affirmative vote, often compared to a 'budgetary Article 49.3'.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility