French Employment Minister Olivier Dussopt, who played a key role in implementing the country's unpopular pension reform, will stand trial in November on charges of favoritism.

 As reported by AFP, the National Financial Prosecutor of France announced this on Friday.

 Prosecutors are investigating a case related to the events of 2009-2010, when Dussopt was a member of parliament and mayor of the town of Annone in the central Ardèche department.

 It is alleged that the current minister facilitated the conclusion of a contract for the city's water supply with a firm associated with him, Saur.

 The evidence in this case emerged after a search of the minister's home in early February, connected to another investigation - into "illegal profiteering" and "corruption" over two valuable lithographs donated by the same firm.

 Dussopt himself said that after speaking with prosecutors, they dismissed four of the five charges against him, and this case concerns the "formal crime of favoritism" in a 14-year-old contract.

 "I have convinced the prosecutor of the soundness of my position on the first four points, and I will flee the court on the soundness of my position and in my integrity on the last point, which has yet to be decided," he said.

 The French government has not publicly commented on the employment minister's situation, but a government source told AFP that Dussopt continues to enjoy the confidence of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and "will have the opportunity to present his arguments to the court".