French authorities are looking into rape claims made against a former gynecologist who is now a member of the administration.
After being appointed secretary of state for development last month, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou is now being charged with doing gynecological tests on two women without their permission.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the first rape accusation was filed on May 25 and the second on June 16.
She has not yet made any public remarks on the accusations.
Although specifics of the allegations have not been made public, French media reported that Ms. Zacharopoulou, 46, was charged with penetration without authorization.
Any act of penetration using violence, threat, force, or surprise is considered rape in French law.
Damien Abad, a recently appointed minister for disability, has also been charged with rape by two women. He has stated that he would not quit and that he disputes the allegations.
Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, was previously charged with rape. Prosecutors have requested that the case be dismissed because he has denied the charges.
The most recent allegations will serve as an unwanted diversion for President Emmanuel Macron as he attempts to recover from the devastating blow of his party’s loss of the parliamentary majority over the weekend.
