Duplomb's pesticide deregulation law advances amid investigation
Duplomb's pesticide deregulation bill progresses as preliminary investigation into his office continues.
Event / Politics
Laurent Duplomb Public Funds Investigation
French senator Laurent Duplomb is under preliminary investigation for alleged misuse of public funds. An ecological regional councilor filed a complaint claiming Duplomb's parliamentary staff member was used for internal party recruitment activities during paid work time in May 2025. Duplomb denies the allegations.
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2026-09-23 to 2026-11-02 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Sept, 15:06 UTC
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What happened
French senator Laurent Duplomb targeted by preliminary investigation for alleged misuse of public funds
Laurent Duplomb, a senator from Haute-Loire representing Les Républicains party, is the subject of a preliminary investigation opened by the Clermont-Ferrand prosecutors office following a complaint alleging misuse of public funds. The investigation concerns allegations that a parliamentary staff member working for the senator was used to recruit Les Républicains activists for internal party purposes while being paid with public funds.
Senator Duplomb's parliamentary aide recruited party members for internal leadership election
In May 2025, media outlet Mediacités reported that a parliamentary staff member employed by senator Laurent Duplomb was working to recruit Les Républicains activists. The recruitment effort was aimed at supporting Laurent Wauquiez's candidacy against Bruno Retailleau in the race to lead the Les Républicains party.
Green regional councilor files complaint against senator over parliamentary staff misuse
Renaud Daumas, an ecological regional councilor, filed a complaint with the tribunal in Puy-en-Velay in 2025 alleging that Duplomb's parliamentary staff member was assigned to internal party recruitment activities during paid work time, constituting a misuse of public funds. Daumas stated that using a publicly-funded parliamentary collaborator for internal party missions on work time amounts to public fund diversion.
Senator Laurent Duplomb authored controversial pesticide deregulation law
Laurent Duplomb, a former leader of France's FNSEA agricultural syndicate, authored the controversial Duplomb Law which was enacted on August 11, 2025. The law simplified regulations governing the use of certain phytosanitary products, including pesticides, and has been subject to public debate and criticism.
Senator Duplomb defends parliamentary aide, claims personal time involvement
Senator Laurent Duplomb responded to allegations through the newspaper La Montagne, asserting that his parliamentary staff member engaged in the party recruitment activities on her personal time and using her personal resources, not during paid work hours or with public resources.
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Senator Duplomb faces preliminary investigation over parliamentary staff activities
Senator Duplomb investigated for alleged public funds misuse involving his parliamentary aide's party activities.