A major political corruption trial involving several allies of French President Jacques Chirac from his time as Mayor of Paris began today.
A total of 47 people, including four former ministers, are accused of rigging public works contracts to finance the country's main political parties.
Over €70 million is alleged to have been paid by building firms to secure contracts renovating secondary schools around Paris.
President Chirac will not be called to testify after he invoked presidential immunity from legal scrutiny.
If convicted the accused face up to ten years in prison.
