Paris, London- French politicians will no longer be allowed to employ their spouses or children as parliamentary assistants under rules adopted in response to a scandal involving former prime Minister Francois Fillon and his wife.

The law, one of the first to be approved since President Emmanuel Macron’s election in May, will apply to ministers and members of parliament, bringing France into line with countries like Germany and ending what is a widespread family business, Reuters reported.

The essential clauses of the legislation were voted through by members of the National Assembly.

Macron, a 39-year-old centrist, won the presidential contest promising he would end practices blamed for widespread voter distrust of politicians.

Fillon was one of Macron’s hottest competitors whose campaign was destroyed by a scandal involving payments to his British spouse.

Roughly one in six members of parliament has a family member drawing a salary as an assistant.