Special Adviser of French Candidate Refutes Fillon’s Financial Ties to Russia

Fillon’s special adviser Jerome Chartier said that Francois Fillon, the presidential nominee of French The Republicans party, did not get any money when he visited Russia for a press conference.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Francois Fillon, the presidential nominee of French The Republicans party, did not receive any financing sources from the Kremlin when he arrived in Russia for a press conference, Fillon’s special adviser Jerome Chartier said.

On Sunday, Francois de Rugy, a candidate for next month’s French left-wing primaries, demanded transparency on Fillon’s ties with Russia and called into question a financing source of the presidential nominee, citing Fillon’s press conference in Russia.

"No, he did not get any money when he visited Russia for a press conference," Chartier told the RTL radio station.

Commenting on the relationship between Fillon and Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said the only thing in common is that they served as prime ministers in the same period of time.

"They know each other. On this basis, they respect each other, they are not friends," Chartier explained.

The French presidential elections will take place in April and May 2017. Various polls indicate that Fillon is likely to face off with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen from the National Front. The ruling Socialist Party is lagging far behind after its popularity plunged during President Francois Hollande's term.