The number of elected officials convicted of embezzlement or influence peddling no longer surprises anyone. However, a certain species is tending to develop in France. Distinctive sign: their willingness to stop fraudulent practices. Jean-Christophe Picard, head of the local group of the association, is a specimen of this kind.
Nice-Premiere: What is the purpose of the association?
Jean-Christophe Picard: To fight against corruption, especially political corruption. People who join the association do not act as vigilantes in black capes, but together we form a think tank that considers the changes needed in the judicial system.
NP: Recently on June 30 in Nice, a conference took place in the presence of Judge Eric Halphen on the theme “What reforms for justice?”. What proposals were made?
J-C.P: Many issues were raised during this debate. Notably, the lack of independence for judges who are subject to the Judicial Council presided over by the President of the Republic. It is common for a judge that steps a bit outside the lines to not receive career advancement. This happened to Eric Halphen, proving the point. Anticor also proposes lifetime ineligibility for elected officials convicted of embezzlement. The opposite end up discrediting our officials and supports the “all crooks” theory of J-M Le Pen. Which is not the case: a normal elected official is an honest one.
NP: At the same conference, prosecutor Eric de Mongolfier expressed surprise that “an entire nation gets excited about 22 people running after a ball while the judicial institution interests so few people”. Do you think the topic truly affects the population?
J-C.P: Absolutely! Today, people are much less tolerant than before. The amnesty of Guy Drut was quite poorly received by the public. And if the A-M group was formed, it’s because the June conference appealed to many people from this region. I believe they feel particularly concerned about the issue. The role of the association is also to raise awareness among citizens and elected officials about it. You can indeed sense a shift in attitudes to the point that presidential candidates won’t be able to avoid the topic of judicial reform.
NP: Ségolène Royal, Nicolas Sarkozy: the candidates are getting younger…
J-C.P: … Yes, on both the right and left, a new generation has emerged with a new mindset. Whichever President is elected, political practices should change. We should first stop bringing back corrupt politicians. This way of doing things is quite peculiar to France. In the United States, a politician is sidelined if discovered having a mistress. Not long ago, a foreign minister resigned after it was discovered that she had bought chocolates on the state’s account. And in Sweden, all budgets are available online… Other countries look at France with wide eyes.
NP: You talk about stopping the recycling of corrupt politicians. Are you referring to Alain Juppé’s return to the Bordeaux municipality?
J-C.P: That’s a good example to illustrate my point. After a year of exile, he comes back like nothing happened, and he’s given the position. Eric de Mongolfier has stated that “justice is strong with the weak and weak with the strong”. His statement is correct in this case. The Guy Drut affair is also worrisome: the current political power is in the process of pardoning its friends. Anticor fights against this because politics is a moral compass, a symbol. We end up no longer knowing what is right or wrong in our elected officials’ behavior.
NP: What is the role of the group in the A-M?
J-C.P: We relay information at the national level so that Anticor has a clear overview.
NP: Are you interested in any particular case?
J-C.P: I’m following the case of the public contracts for the new stadium in Nice. It’s in the hands of the Administrative Tribunal because the former prefect claims there was favoritism involved. It doesn’t fall under criminal law for now. Of course, if we find elements to substantiate criminal offenses, we will immediately alert the prosecutor. Each year, the association awards the Golden Saucepan Prize to an elected official for their fraudulent practices. The next award will be given in March 2007. It might be an official from the region…
Contact: jeanchristophepicard@hotmail.fr
Anticor’s website: www.anticor.org
