https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/french-minister-investigated-after-rape-allegations

French minister investigated after rape allegations

Prosecutors in France announced Wednesday that they are investigating a junior minister in President Emmanuel Macron's administration after two rape claims were made against her.

According to the French magazine Marianne, the rape claims date back to when Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, now state secretary for development, Francophonie, and international partnerships, was still a gynecologist.

According to officials, one complaint was filed on May 25 and the investigation began two days later. On June 16, the second complaint was filed.

Greece-born Zacharopoulou, 46, joined Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's administration in May after three years as a member of the European Parliament. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna reports to her.

She rose to notoriety in 2015 by pushing for more public awareness of endometriosis alongside actress Julie Gayet, who married former French President Francois Hollande this year.

Zacharopoulou was heavily involved in the United Nations' COVAX coronavirus vaccine rollout project and has advocated for women's reproductive rights.

These are not the first rape charges to hang over Macron's government, and they come at a time when the President is facing electoral difficulties after failing to keep a majority in legislative elections.

Prosecutors also investigated Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in 2017 following a rape accusation.

He denied any involvement, and prosecutors requested for the case to be abandoned in January.

In a dispute that emerged last month, Solidarity Minister Damien Abad was also accused of rape, although French prosecutors stated they were not presently launching an inquiry.