malgré lui

[spinner82]

Is this the correct translation for:

Le gouvernement devra ensuite trouver le moyen de restituer les sommes qu'il aura perçues "malgré lui".

The government will then find a way to repay the amounts it has received "in spite of itself".

Thanks.

 

[Xavier11222]

Hi Spinner82,
Your translation is correct - "lui" stands for "le gouvernement." I'm thinking "unknowingly" could make sense here, although I don't know the exact context.

 

[franc 91]

will then have to.... unduely (suggestion) otherwise you can paraphrase it by saying ....money it wasn't entitled to.