Raffarin denies wrongdoing after Paris accident involving service vehicle

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is facing questions after being involved in a traffic accident in Paris on June 11. The incident occurred while he was traveling in a service vehicle, sparking an inquiry into the conditions under which he was using official transport.

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This accident injured a person on a motorcycle, I regret it profoundly.

According to reports, the vehicle, which was reportedly using its flashing lights and siren, allegedly ran a red light in the 8th arrondissement of Paris before colliding with a scooter. The scooter's rider sustained serious injuries. Mediapart, citing a witness, also reported that Raffarin, who was in the back seat, left the scene on foot after emergency services arrived, without checking on the injured party.

Further questions have arisen regarding Raffarin's use of the vehicle. Since January 1, 2026, former prime ministers who have been out of office for over a decade are generally not entitled to a car with a driver, barring exceptions. Raffarin himself had previously stated he accepted this change "without a problem."

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I went to the hospital immediately to check on them and leave my contact details.

However, reports suggest Raffarin may have retained these privileges for a mission assigned by President Emmanuel Macron concerning economic relations between France and China. Mediapart questions whether the trip on the day of the accident, returning from Canada, fell within the scope of this official mission. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly indicated that Raffarin himself requested the driver activate the flashing lights, a practice restricted by regulations.

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I have naturally respected the rules.

In response, Raffarin issued a statement on social media platform X, expressing deep regret for the injured motorcyclist. He asserted that he acted in accordance with the rules and visited the injured person in the hospital to exchange contact information, contradicting earlier reports. He also confirmed that his official means were returned on January 1, but he received a temporary, unpaid official mission related to Sino-French relations on January 26, for which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assigned him a vehicle.

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I received, by letter of January 26, a temporary and unpaid official mission dedicated to Sino-French relations.