I'll publish finances if you do, UMP's Copé tells French media bigwigs

The leader of France's main opposition party on Monday called for all political parties and media groups to be obliged to publish detailed accounts of their financing, in the wake of accusations concerning bills paid by his own UMP party.

UMP leader Jean-François Copé Reuters/Benoît Tessier

Centre-right UMP leader Jean-François Copé chose to counter attack following the allegations published in the French weekly Le Point last week that he had used his
influence to channel party contracts to a PR company run by two friends and political allies.

The two Copé aides are accused of systematically over-billing the UMP for organising events, effectively enriching themselves on the back of the party they were supposed to be promoting.

Both Cope and the company concerned, Bygmalion deny the accusations and say they will sue Le Point for defamation.

Claiming to be the victim of a "veritable witch hunt" by the media, Copé said on Monday that the UMP was ready to publish all its accounts dating back to the 2007 presidential election, on condition that all other parties in receipt of public financing also did so.

He said he would presenting a parliamentary bill to that effect and would also be tabling a parallel proposal to ensure similar rules applied to media who benefit from public subsidies (which in France includes most major magazines and newspapers) and to their senior editorial figures.

"They should have the same rules and obligations as parliamentarians," Cope told a press conference.

The allegations against Cope come three weeks ahead of municipal elections in France, in which the Socialist Party is expected to fare badly.