The president of the LR deputies, Olivier Marleix, called on the executive on Tuesday to “refrain from any attempt to poach” on the right, a strategy which would be “deeply disrespectful”, during the government reshuffle in preparation.
“Respect obviously starts with refraining from any attempt at poaching. There aren’t many candidates ‘on the right’ to enter government, ‘but it would be deeply disrespectful to just pander to the basest human instincts,’ underlined Mr. Marleix during his group’s press briefing at the National Assembly.
Without being cited for entry into government, the names of Les Républicains deputies reputed to be “Macron-compatible”, such as Nicolas Forissier or Alexandre Vincendet, sometimes circulate in the press.
“The last take was (Damien) Abad, I think that this great example does not necessarily make people want to jostle each other”, continued Olivier Marleix, referring to the former leader of the right-wing group then ephemeral Minister of Solidarity Damien Abad, who left the government in July 2022, after accusations of rape which he “strongly contests”.
Mr. Marleix also believes that keeping Elisabeth Borne at Matignon “is not a surprise. I think that the President of the Republic nevertheless understood that he had no room for maneuver go and find the untraceable majority” in the National Assembly, he judged.
“What remains for the President of the Republic is to respect the vote of the French on June 19 (2022, in the legislative elections). They were not mistaken, they did not give a majority, this is not an error on their part, it is a choice”, underlined the president of the LR group.
“It is the imperious obligation for him to do with the National Assembly which is given to him and not to try to twist the arms of each other to try to constitute a majority”, he added. .
Mr. Macron confirmed Monday evening the maintenance at Matignon of Elisabeth Borne, who must now make “adjustments” in his government team.
07/18/2023 18:40:44 – Paris (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
