Alexis Kohler, secretary normal of the Elysée, refuses to look earlier than the fee of inquiry on the water scandal | EUROtoday

The secretary normal of the Elysée, Alexis Kohler, declined the summons of a senatorial fee of inquiry into the scandal of bottled waters, invoking the rationale for “Separation of powers” On the eve of his listening to, the Elysée Palace introduced on Monday April 7.

The shut collaborator of Emmanuel Macron, who’s about to depart his duties, was to be heard by the senators on Tuesday afternoon, as a part of this fee of inquiry created in November, following the revelations of World And from Radio France on presumably illicit remedies of mineral waters.

With the France-Presse company, the socialist senator Alexandre Ouizille, rapporteur of this fee of inquiry, mentioned ” surprised “ of this resolution. “This does not correspond to the spirit which was that of the exchanges that we had with the Elysée”he regretted, recalling that the Presidency of the Republic had agreed to ship paperwork to this fee of inquiry.

“I do not see how the fact of sending us documents would not be covered by the principle of separation of powers and why the fact of hearing would be. It is an inconsistency “added the socialist, with out desirous to advance on doable authorized proceedings after this refusal.

According to an order of November 17, 1958, any individual whose fee of inquiry has judged the listening to helpful, is required to discuss with the summons issued to him. The one who doesn’t seem or refuses to deposit or take an oath earlier than a fee of inquiry is liable to 2 years’ imprisonment, and a effective of seven,500 euros.

This listening to had been notably anticipated since new revelations in February regarding a gathering between representatives of Nestlé and Alexis Kohler, following which the federal government would have approved the group’s transformation plan. This plan consists in withdrawing non -compliant remedies (coal and UV filters) and changing them with a microfiltration at 0.2 micron whose legality was the topic of many hearings of the Commission.

Emmanuel Macron had denied being conscious of this assembly, including that there was neither “Entente”neither “Connivence”and Nestlé has denied having exerted a type of lobbying.

The Commission goes to conclude its hearings

Mr. Kohler, who will depart the Elysée Palace in mid-April after eight years alongside the President of the Republic, had already declined the convocation of a fee of inquiry of the National Assembly on the budgetary skid on the finish of winter, invoking the identical causes.

After listening to dozens of individuals, together with three ministers or former ministers, their collaborators, Nestlé managers, NGOs, native elected officers, administration officers, but in addition journalists on the origin of revelations or researchers specializing in waters, the Commission is within the technique of concluding its hearings.

The director normal of Nestlé, Laurent Freixe, can be auditioned on Wednesday, a “Last chance” For the group to clarify when and why non -compliant remedies have been applied, in keeping with the president of the fee, Laurent Burgoa, who has deplored the shortage of cooperation of the corporate a number of occasions. The fee report can be introduced on May 19.