Dominique de Villepin news stories on Newser

Chirac, PM Took $20M From African Leaders: Aide

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:55:00 CDT

Former French president Jacques Chirac and his prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, have been accused of taking $20 million in illicit payments from African heads of state, allegations that both men deny. Lawyer Robert Bourgi, a onetime aide to the politicians, made the accusations in a radio station interview today,...

Sarkozy Oversteps in Rancorous Trial With Foe

Jason Farago — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:34:27 CDT

Nicolas Sarkozy may have crossed the line in the continuing trial of his political foe Dominique de Villepin, the former French prime minister accused of waging a smear campaign against him in 2004. During a TV interview in New York, Sarkozy called Villepin and his co-defendants "the guilty parties"—reinforcing...

Former French PM Accused In Sarko Scandal

Jason Farago — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:19:15 CST

Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin will face trial for his role in an alleged smear campaign against Nicolas Sarkozy, who outmaneuvered him for the presidency. The "Clearstream Affair" scandal dates to 2004, when an anonymous source sent a judge a list of politicians, including Sarkozy, said to be...

Rwanda Targets French Leaders for Genocide

Jason Farago — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:47:59 CDT

Senior French politicians, including the late president François Mitterand and two prime ministers, were complicit in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, alleges a 500-page report released by the government . The report, which follows a 2-year investigation, also accuses the French military of crimes against humanity. Rwanda's justice ministry said yesterday...

France Opens Probe Against Former PM

Heather McPherson — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:47:30 CDT

Dominique de Villepin, France's former PM and a longtime rival of president Nicolas Sarkozy, will undergo a formal investigation for his alleged role in improperly smearing Sarkozy. De Villepin denies involvement in the scandal which may also implicate former president Jacques Chirac, but the announcement is seen as a step...

Charges Loom for Former French PM

Wesley Oliver — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:29:47 CDT

Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is expected to face criminal conspiracy charges following the discovery of new evidence linking him to a dirty tricks campaign against President Nicolas Sarkozy, the Times of London reports. Police yesterday searched his Paris home after investigators found computer data suggesting he directed...

Sarkozy Taps Close Adviser to Be PM

Greg Atwan — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:56:31 CDT

Nicolas Sarkozy named chief campaign adviser Francois Fillon his prime minister today, replacing firebrand Dominique de Villepin. Fillon, a right-of-center senator who directed an overhaul of France's pension system as a Chirac administration official, will lead Sarkozy's effort to institute reforms in employment and welfare laws. Fillon, whose wife is...