Without “illusion”, a trap, a “media staging”: Emmanuel Macron’s summit meeting on Wednesday with the main party leaders, intended to find common ground and circumvent blockages in Parliament, is announced arduous in the face of suspicious opposition.
The meeting, scheduled in the very symbolic setting of the Legion of Honor education house in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), should start at 3:00 p.m.
While the Head of State wants to convince the parties represented in Parliament to build legislative texts “together” and possibly agree on referendums, the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes) responds with one voice, despite its multiple internal tensions on other subjects.
In a severe letter to the Head of State, the four main parties of the alliance (LFI, EELV, PS, PCF) affirm that “in view of the content of the policy” of Emmanuel Macron and “the terms of ( his) invitation”, they have “no illusions” about his objectives, saying they are “accustomed” to his “communication operations without a future and without effects”.
“We do not want to participate again in a media scene. This is the reason why we will not participate in the dinner that you are organizing in the evening”, they add.
A position which somewhat surprised the side of the executive, while the meal in question must relate to the subjects of education, authority, integration, after initial exchanges on the international situation and the reforms institutional.
“It’s a working dinner which is devoted to the last part of the agenda, making it Nation”, a few weeks after the violent urban riots which shook France, it is argued in the entourage of the leader of State.
What convince left-wing parties to return to the dinner table? “This unbearable amateurism and improvisation clearly show the President of the Republic’s contempt for the opposition”, kicks in touch, reserving his answer, the boss of LFI Manuel Bompard.
Emmanuel Macron, who promises with this meeting a “major political initiative”, wishes a “frank, loyal, direct discussion”, assures the Elysée, stressing that this meeting “between a President of the Republic and all the party leaders at the same time is unprecedented”.
The heads of the Nupes say for their part “taken aback” by the letter of Emmanuel Macron and the “policy of independence and justice” that he claims.
They will carry on their side proposals on the difficulties of recruitment in National Education, the cost of living. And, above all, they will demand a referendum on the pension reform, against which the Nupes fought for months in the National Assembly.
On the right and on the far right, it is immigration that the party leaders want to talk about: Eric Ciotti (LR) and Jordan Bardella (RN) will demand a referendum on the subject, the Lepenists wanting a consultation on June 9, 2024 , at the same time as the European elections.
On the side of the presidential majority, Renaissance also intends to come up with ideas for referendums.
“What we validated (Monday, during an executive office) is a referendum with between three and five questions, with international, national and purchasing power,” Renaud said on Tuesday. Muselier on Sud Radio, citing immigration, security and institutions as possible topics.
“Everything must be done to avoid this famous motion (of censure). And this dissolution. And this return to the polls”, summarizes a majority framework while the examinations of the 2024 budget or the immigration bill s announce perilous.
“Emmanuel Macron will put the opposition before their responsibilities”, adds another who pleads for a referendum on the institutions. “It’s a way, if people vote yes, to relegitimize themselves,” he points out.
But for the boss of the socialists, Olivier Faure, this meeting is “a new gadget” and “a barnum especially intended for Éric Ciotti”, whose party remains the arbiter of many votes, including motions of censure.
In the meantime, Emmanuel Macron brought together part of the government on Tuesday morning and will receive the main tenors of the majority in the evening in order to prepare for the meeting.
29/08/2023 17:28:17 – Paris (AFP) – © 2023 AFP