The president of the French National Assembly on Tuesday rejected opposition demands to open a parliamentary investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's ties to French political and cultural elites, a day after President Emmanuel Macron stated that the scandal surrounding the deceased sex offender is "a matter that primarily concerns the United States."
First modification: 02/10/2026 - 12:27
The president of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, declared this Tuesday that she opposes the creation of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the scandal involving the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, warning that such an initiative would "compete with justice."
Braun-Pivet, an ally of President Emmanuel Macron, thus responds to calls from the radical left party France Insoumise (LFI) to establish a multi-party investigation to examine Epstein's French links.
"The matter should be referred to the courts" to "shed light" on possible "French ramifications" of the revelations about Epstein, Braun-Pivet told broadcaster Europe 1.
LFI maintained last week that a parliamentary investigation was necessary to examine possible “interference” or “financing” of political parties, after more French public figures were mentioned in documents related to Epstein.
Former French minister Jack Lang resigned on Saturday from his long-standing position as director of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris over his links to the deceased sex offender, becoming the highest-profile French public figure implicated in the politically explosive scandal.
Read alsoEpstein case: former French minister Jack Lang offers his resignation from the Arab World Institute
French prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation for tax fraud against Lang and his daughter Caroline, after both were mentioned in the Epstein files.
Braun-Pivet called the revelations "terrifying", while praising "the quality of Jack Lang's commitment and work as a minister".
"I no longer want to see politicians taking advantage of the generosity of individuals," he said.
"It is unacceptable for politicians to use private planes or pay for vacations with other people's money."
"Fuel for conspiracy theories"
Braun-Pivet's statements came a day after Macron tried to distance France from the Epstein case, saying it is "a matter that primarily concerns the United States."
"The justice there must do its job, and that's all," Macron said, adding that he did not want to "participate" in a public debate about the Epstein case.
The French president also called for "real journalism," noting that the massive publication of US government files on Epstein has generated "fuel for conspiracy theories."
Asked about Lang's decision to resign, Macron said he had taken note, adding that the decision was made "conscientiously."
Lang, 86, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he was "shocked" that his name appeared on the statutes of an offshore company founded by Epstein in 2016, and said he only turned to him as a philanthropist.
His daughter Caroline, who reportedly owned half of the company's shares, resigned on Monday from the board of the Le Refuge Foundation, dedicated to welcoming and supporting LGBTIQ+ young people expelled from their homes.
Previously, she had also resigned from her position as head of the Union of Independent Producers (SPI), which represents independent film producers in France.
Mere mention in the files does not imply guilt.
US Attorney Todd Blanche declared on February 1 that authorities will not file further charges following the publication of more than three million documents in late January.
This article is an adaptation of its original in English
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