Richard Ferrand

Richard Ferrand's candidacy for president of the Constitutional Council was strongly challenged because of his longstanding closeness to Emmanuel Macron, questions over his public law expertise and the Véronique Malbec episode. His appointment in 2025 only narrowly avoided a parliamentary veto.

State of the evidence

Documented

In June 2023, Richard Ferrand expressed regret over restrictions that he considered prevented a presidential mandate being renewed beyond two consecutive terms and called for reconsideration of certain institutional constraints. His remarks fuelled allegations of an ulterior motive favouring a third term for Emmanuel Macron.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

As managing director of Mutuelles de Bretagne, Richard Ferrand participated in the process leading the organisation to rent premises acquired by a property company owned by his partner Sandrine Doucen. Revealed in 2017, the transaction prompted an investigation and Ferrand was formally placed under investigation in 2019 for illegal taking of interest, before the acts were ruled time-barred. In 2022, the Court of Cassation dismissed Anticor's appeal, ending the proceedings.

Attribution

Direct responsibility

During the 2017 revelations, it emerged that Richard Ferrand had failed to declare to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life his son Émile, who worked as his parliamentary assistant from January to May 2014. The press also questioned declarations relating to another employee, Hervé Clabon.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After his election as an MP in 2012, Richard Ferrand retained paid work as a project officer for Mutuelles de Bretagne. At the same time, he advocated legislative provisions affecting mutual healthcare networks, prompting controversy over a possible conflict between private employment and parliamentary duties.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Mediapart reported that Richard Ferrand had sold part of his parliamentary office to the Socialist Party for €40 000 in 2016, and questioned whether the loan used to purchase it had previously been repaid using the parliamentary expenses allowance.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After becoming leader of the La République en marche group in the National Assembly in June 2017, Richard Ferrand faced criticism from some of his own MPs, who accused him of insufficient involvement, an abrasive style and inadequate attendance in the chamber.

State of the evidence

Documented

Press investigations established that Richard Ferrand's partner had obtained legal consulting work for Mutuelles de Bretagne and that his former wife had secured several contracts for fitting out premises within the mutual insurance network. These contractual relationships prompted criticism concerning conflicts of interest and the organisation's governance.

State of the evidence

Documented