"I've cut ties with him and have no intentions of rekindling any bond."
Hittin' the Courthouse Again: François Fillon's Return to Justice
After a definitive conviction in 2024 for misappropriation of public funds, François Fillon, now 71, heads to the Paris Court of Appeal on April 29 for a follow-up hearing regarding his sentence. The Court of Cassation has requested a rematch, focusing solely on the penalty phase of this drawn-out case that halted his presidential campaign in 2017.
Punishment Awaits: The Final Act
The Court of Cassation had already sentenced Fillon to 4 years in prison (with 1 year suspended), a €375,000 fine, and a 10-year political ban in the affair surrounding his wife's fake jobs[1]. On top of that, he's ought to pay €700,000 in damages and interest to the National Assembly, a debt he's reportedly repaying in installments[2].
Fast-forward, Fillon has been noticeably elusive, drawing conflicting reactions from his former allies[3].While some on the right express nostalgia, others have cut ties with him completely. A former collaborator confesses, "I don't know what he's up to, I have no relation with him and I'm not looking to have any". It seems the right wing is still recovering from the fallout, with no one eager to associate with him.
The Phantom of the Right
When people catch wind of his whereabouts, it's usually at private functions. An ex-deputy recalls meeting him at a funeral, "We said 'hi, how are you?'. That's it. He's always been very secretive", she confirms. The social circle seems to have shrunk, leaving him isolated in the bustling city.
Despite the radioactive vibe surrounding him, some still see his political weight, "He's still a figure! The debt, the simplification of norms... he saw it before everyone else", hints a close friend. Even the camp of Bruno Retailleau acknowledges a friendship bond between Fillon and Retailleau, grounded in the shared value of loyalty.
As Fillon awaits the court's decision, his legacy lingers, casting long shadows over French politics, with debates on the implications of these cases resonating far beyond the courtroom walls. [6]
*The Court of Appeal is set to reexamine François Fillon's sentence in 2024, focusing on the penalty phase of his public funds misappropriation case that halted his presidential campaign in 2017.* Despite facing a 4-year prison sentence, a €375,000 fine, a 10-year political ban, and damages to the National Assembly, Fillon continues to maintain a low profile, with conflicting reactions from his former allies.* Some on the right express nostalgia for Fillon, while others have cut ties with him completely. A former collaborator states, "I don't know what he's up to, I have no relationship with him and I'm not looking to have any."* Despite his radioactive vibe, some still see Fillon's political weight, with a close friend suggesting, "He's still a figure! The debt, the simplification of norms... he saw it before everyone else."* Fillon's legacy, marked by debates on the implications of cases like his, continues to cast long shadows over French politics and general-news discussions.
