Well Ari has stepped it up by "applying to the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris for it to impose measures on the FIA to ensure that next week's presidential election is fair and transparent."
Vatanen seeks court help for election
Full letter from Ari to Max here and below:
FIA election: Ari Vatanen letter to Max Mosley in full
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Re: Election to the Presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
Mr President:
I believe it is my obligation to officially state that the campaign for the Presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile is not taking place in accordance with the principle of neutrality which should apply.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile is a non-profit organisation with its headquarters in Paris, France and is governed by French law.
Pursuant to French law, the operation of non-profit organisations is governed by general legal principles.
Among these general principles, applicable to elections, the principle of equality among all candidates is enshrined in the French Constitution and the corollary to this principle of equality is the principle of neutrality which all persons must adopt who due to their position have a particular influence on voters.
The breach of this principle of neutrality during election campaigns, when aimed at distorting the results of the election, is punishable by all of the French Courts.
This is why the rulings of the highest Administrative Court - the French Council of State - have constantly punished the violation of the principle of neutrality in connection with the election of Members of the French Parliament, Regional Councils, Municipal Counsels and the Senate.
The French Court of Cassation has ruled likewise in a great number of decisions handed down, in particular those decisions rendered in connection with elections for Trade Representatives, Members of Works' Councils and Employee Representatives.
The obligation of neutrality must be complied with, not only by those persons whose positions allow them to influence voters, but also by any person or organisation in a position of subordinate, supplier, advisor or having a "common interest".
In the current campaign for the election of the President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the principle of neutrality has been flouted constantly by the FIA, certain paid staff members, and the employees of certain organisations dependent on the FIA which use the funds made available by the FIA, such as the FIA Foundation for example.
However, you were the first to violate the principle of neutrality.
Indeed, whereas I announced last 11 July that I was running as a candidate for the Presidency of the FIA, you sent an official letter shortly thereafter on 15 July to all of the Members of the FIA in which you state your intention not to stand for re-election and in which you openly express your support for the candidacy of Jean Todt who moreover, had not yet even officially announced that he was running for the office of President.
More recently, you have continued to show your favouritism towards Jean Todt, as last 23 September you gave an interview to journalists, which was reported in the press, according to which you stated, inter alia:
"For the Formula 1 Teams, Jean Todt would be a role model of integrity if he is elected as the President of the FIA...
He (Jean Todt) will ensure that everything operates like clockwork and is completely fair, honest, open and transparent and that is what you need."
Even worse, you sent a letter on 28 September to Prince Faisal of Jordan, which you knew perfectly well would be reported by the press, in which you made defamatory statement against me and in which you did not hesitate to claim that:
"Vatanen will lose the election and will lose badly, particularly as he has chosen to denigrate the FIA and the persons currently in power, rather than to lead a constructive and civilized election campaign."
In addition, certain staff members of the FIA and other organisations related to the FIA have participated in the campaign in favour of Mr. Todt, by making statements, paying visits and sending letters, etc.
For example, the Secretary General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism was seen together with Mr. Nick Craw, candidate for the Presidency of the FIA Senate on the list presented by Mr. Jean Todt when Mr. Nick Craw was on the campaign trail to visit a member club of the AAA, which is a Member of the FIA and will be partaking in the vote.
Moreover, the General Director of the FIA Foundation participated in this capacity in designing Mr. Jean Todt's election campaign.
Likewise, the General Director of Region I has been using FIA resources to engage in on-going lobbying to influence numerous stakeholders in favour of Mr. Jean Todt.
I naturally am in possession of all of the evidence to support the reality of the facts stated above.
Under these conditions, I request that you stop and that you ensure that staff members on the payroll of the FIA and organisations which depend financially on the FIA stop these practices which up until now have constituted a violation of the principle of equality among candidates to the Presidency of the FIA.
In addition, I further reserve all right to take action on account of the act previously committed against me.
Yours sincerely,
Ari Vatanen[/quote]
