France: Conservative candidate's campaign in jeopardy

PARIS

Six out of 10 French citizens believe conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon must drop out following revelations regarding payments he allegedly made to his wife and two of his children using public funds, a survey showed on Friday.

According to an poll for France info TV and radio, 61 percent of those surveyed think the former prime minister must withdraw from the presidential race.

Over the past 10 days, investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine has claimed -- citing pay slips -- that Fillon had paid about €1 million ($1.08 million) out of public funds to his wife and two of his children as parliamentary assistant and consultants for legal expertise, respectively.

Although it is legal for French lawmakers to hire family members as parliamentary assistants, Le Canard Enchaine cast doubts over whether his wife Penelope actually performed aide duties.

Penelope Fillon reportedly started working for her husband from 1988 to 1990 and then again in 1998, until 2002 when he becomes . She then allegedly held the same position for her husband's deputy until 2007 when Fillon becomes prime minister under Nicolas Sarkozy for five years.

A primary investigation was launched after the first report came out on Jan. 25. It was widened on Thursday to include two of the ' five children, Marie and Charles.

Fillon himself revealed to French broadcaster TF1 last week that he had employed two of his children, who he said were lawyers, while he was a senator between 2005 and 2007.

However, Le Canard Enchaine claimed his two children were still law students at the time and that they were paid €84,000.

"It's not justice they are seeking, it's to destroy me," Fillon told a political rally on Thursday night in Charleville-Mezieres, in northern France. "And beyond me, to destroy the right [wing] and its vote."

Fillon said he would drop out if he is charged.

Seventeen senior conservatives, including former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, expressed in an opinion piece in the daily Le Figaro their support to Fillon against what they called an "attempt to kill" his candidacy.

"They're throwing to the wolves a man, his wife, his children, his colleagues, without waiting for their arguments or listening to their defense," reads the statement published on Thursday.

An Ifop poll published Thursday, showed Fillon’s popularity dropping. Still, the poll had him making it to the second round of the presidential election to face far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Thierry Solere, Fillon’s spokesman, told France 24 on Wednesday that “nothing is planned” should a candidate withdraw.

Presidential candidates have until March 17 to formally declare their bids.

The two-round presidential election is set for April 23 and May 7.