Galiegate

Galiegate is a political scandal in Estdania in 2022, involving the then-president Franc Kangal and his involvement with the far-right Galie Front. It caused a significant drop in public opinion of Kangal and ultimately led to his defeat in the 2023 Estdanian general election.
== Background ==
Kangal had a history of ties to far-right political views prior to the scandal. He was criticized by then-vice president and former president Julie Verninac for his connections with far-right commentator Maxence Leerange. A meeting between Kangal and Leerange on 1 November 2022, led to The Centre stepping down from government. Snap elections were announced for 5 January 2023.
== The Scandal ==
On 25 November 2022, journalists Françoise Belrose and Séraphin Angoro leaked an email sent from Kangal to People's Party spindoctor Jean-Pierre Tripeval in 2014. In the email, Kangal suggested collaborating with and funding the Galie Front, a far-right political organization that went on to commit several terroristic attacks in 2015 and 2016. 
== Reaction ==
The Social Democratic Party launched a process to impeach Kangal but ultimately failed due to right-wing parties voting against it. The public responded with outrage and many called for Kangal's resignation over his suggestion of collusion with a terrorist group. Despite calls for resignation, however, Kangal refused to step down from office and maintained his innocence claiming that he had no intention of going through with his proposal.
== Aftermath ==
After Galiegate: Kangal lost support in opinion polling. He subsequently lost the 2023 Estdanian general election and retired from politics afterwards.
Category:Galiegate
Category:Political scandals in Estdania