Prefer Jewish News on Google
French presidential hopeful relaunches bid after ‘anti-Semitic’ cartoon
Francois Fillon presented a new version of his campaign platform, amid accusations he used anti-Semitic overtones on a cartoon
Conservative French presidential candidate Francois Fillon has presented a new version of his campaign platform in an effort to claw back support amid a series of controversies and corruption allegations.
Mr Fillon was put on the defensive again in recent days after his conservative party posted a caricature of a rival candidate that carried anti-Semitic overtones and a newspaper raised questions about expensive suits he received as a gift.
The caricature, which evoked the stereotyped cartoons that were used to demonise Jews in the 1930s and 1940s, pictured the candidate as a banker with a hooked nose, wearing a top hat, holding a sickle and cutting a cigar.
Mr Macron is not Jewish.
The candidate himself announced that he was summoned to appear before judges on Wednesday in the ongoing investigation of whether he allegedly used taxpayers’ money to pay family members for jobs that may not have existed.
Once considered the front-runner in the election, which will run from April 23 to May 7, Mr Fillon now lags in polls behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron.
An official with the Republicans party is facing disciplinary procedures over the online caricature of Mr Macron, a former banker.
Mr Fillon called it “unacceptable” and said it “evoked a dark epoch of our history”, referring to France’s collaboration with the Nazis.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
