Éric Coquerel Considers Legal Action Over Alexis Kohler's Refusal to Testify on Budget Deficit

The Secretary-General of the Élysée declined to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into public deficit mismanagement, citing constitutional principles.

Alexis Kohler, Secretary-General of the Élysée, refused to attend a parliamentary hearing on February 11 regarding France's 2023-2024 budget deficit issues.
Kohler cited scheduling conflicts and the constitutional principle of separation of powers as reasons for his absence, referencing historical precedents of similar refusals.
The parliamentary commission, led by Éric Coquerel, had voted overwhelmingly to summon Kohler due to his key role in relevant financial decisions.
Coquerel has threatened to pursue legal action against Kohler, as non-compliance with a parliamentary summons could lead to penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
The commission is investigating significant forecasting errors that led to a larger-than-expected deficit of 6.1% of GDP in 2024, far exceeding prior estimates.