During his two terms as president of France, Chirac enjoyed immunity from investigation and prosecution under article 67 of the French constitution. Mr Chirac’s immunity expired on 16 June, opening the way for magistrates to question him over illegal acts he may have committed before entering office, writes the Financial Times.

The affair concerns Mr Chirac’s term as mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995, when he also was leader of the Rally for the Republic party. According to the International Herald Tribune, members of his party were allegedly placed on the payroll for municipal services although they were not employed officially by Paris city hall.

Former Prime Minister, and close ally of Mr Chirac, Alain Juppé received a suspended 14-month prison sentence over the job scandals in 2004, reports the Financial Times.

The International Herald Tribune specifies that Mr Chirac has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and denounced the allegations as “lies, calumny and manipulation.”