France’s prime minister, whose government has vowed to clean up politics, was forced on Wednesday to defend his decision to hire a private jet for 350,000 euros (309,520 pounds) to fly back from Japan.
PARIS: France’s prime minister, whose government has vowed to clean up politics, was forced on Wednesday to defend his decision to hire a private jet for 350,000 euros (309,520 pounds) to fly back from Japan.
Opposition politicians decried Edouard Philippe’s use of the private charter, and a non-governmental agency that pursues financial wrongdoing in high places accused him of ignoring his own government’s pledges of exemplary behaviour.
President Emmanuel Macron came under fire earlier this month for celebrating his 40th birthday in the grounds of a royal palace. His office sought to play that down, saying the event had been paid for by Macron and his wife.
Philippe acknowledged on RTL radio that he and his delegation flew back to Paris from Tokyo, after an official trip to New Caledonia, at a cost of 350,000 euros, but said he had been obliged to do so.
« I totally understand the surprise and the questions of the French people, » Philippe said.
