How a Russian bank gave France's far-right Front National party 9mln euros
France’s far-right Front National party has obtained a loan of 9 million euros from a Russian bank. The loan, from the First Czech Russian Bank, was obtained after lengthy lobbying of the Russian authorities by party leader Marine Le Pen and other party officers who have been welcomed in Moscow by senior politicians close to President Vladimir Putin. Marine Turchi reports on the development of the surprisingly close relations knotted between the Front National and Russia's leading officials before the loan was agreed, the precise origins of which remain unclear.
SpeakingSpeaking in an interview this weekend with daily Le Monde, French far-right Front National leader Marine Le Pen has confirmed revelations by Mediapart that she has obtained a loan of 9 million euros for her party from the Moscow-based First Czech Russian Bank.
