Macron Hits Back On Consultant Controversy at Campaign Rally

French President Emmanuel Macron used a campaign rally to try to get past a controversy over the use of private consultants by his government, as far-right rival Marine Le Pen gains in polls a week before voting.

“I’ve heard a lot about tax evasion and U.S. consultancies these days, and I’d like to remind those who are outraged that they’ve used them when they were in government,” Macron said at Saturday’s event near Paris.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, which initially gave Macron a bump in opinion polls, has largely overshadowed the campaign, and Macron has limited his public appearances.

Saturday’s event was a chance to fire up enthusiasm among supporters. Macron is trying to reverse a recent dip in his poll numbers as the initial rally-around-the-flag effect faded.

He also used the rally to push back against the criticism over the so-called “McKinsey affair” -- his government’s widespread use of management consultants.

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