Her political career ended in scandal as a result of corruption charges dating from her tenure as European Commissioner for Research, Science and Technology.

"[3] In social policy, Cresson's government enacted the Urban Framework Act of 1991,[4] which sought to ensure a "right to the city" for all citizens.

"[5] The Cresson Government also placed considerable emphasis during its time in office on facilitating the international competitiveness of firms with under 500 employees.

[6] A law was passed in July 1991 which included several measures aimed at improving access of people with disabilities to housing, work places, and public buildings.

[7] In addition an Act of July 1991 on legal aid "gave the public (above all, foreigners who are lawfully domiciled in France) wider access to the courts.

While a European Commissioner, Cresson was the main target in the fraud allegations that led to the resignation of the Santer Commission in 1999.

Subsequent to a fraud inquiry the European Commission said that Cresson in her capacity as the Research Commissioner "failed to act in response to known, serious and continuing irregularities over several years".

Cresson was found guilty of not reporting failures in a youth training programme from which vast sums went missing.

[13] When Cresson took up her functions, she intended to appoint dental surgeon Philippe Berthelot, one of her close acquaintances, as a "personal advisor".

EU rules specify a maximum duration of 24 months for visiting scientists, but Berthelot spent two and a half years in the position.

However, the Court held that it was not bound by the legal characterisation of facts made in the context of the criminal proceedings and that it was for the Court, exercising its discretion to the full, to investigate whether the conduct complained of in proceedings brought under Article 213(2) EC constituted a breach of the obligations arising from the office of Commissioner.