The French political scene is shaken by controversial news: Raquel Garrido, MP for La France Insoumise, is suspended from her duties as spokesperson in the National Assembly.
This internal twist reveals deep dissensions within a party which always seeks to project an image of unity.
But unfortunately this is not the first crack to emerge within LFI and NUPES which has been navigating amid controversies in recent times. Criticism is raining down on Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Party and certain dissonant voices are even starting to be heard within its ranks. Raquel Garrido could therefore only be the visible tip of the iceberg…
Verdict of the ICC (the rebellious Criminal Court): 4 months.
Does 4 months mean anything to you? It’s like Adrien Quatennens.. For 4 months I no longer have the right to represent my parliamentary group as a speaker in the general discussions in the Laws and…— Raquel Garrido (@RaquelGarridoFr) November 7, 2023
An unexpected sanction
MP Raquel Garrido is hit with an unusual disciplinary measure: banned from speaking on behalf of his parliamentary group for four months.
The reasons given are serious:
- dissemination of false information concerning LFI and its members,
- personal attacks,
- and altercations with group employees.
Reviews that didn’t please
Garrido did not mince his words regarding the governance of his party and the influence of its leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
She contested Mr. Mélenchon’s reluctance to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, a position which, according to her, harms the image of LFI.
In addition, his position on the non-cumulation of mandates diverges from that of the party leadership.
The management of LFI therefore perceived the actions of Ms. Garrido as a betrayal and a threat to party unity.
His sanction is compared to that of Adrien Quatennens, convicted of domestic violence. Garrido, for her part, equates her punishment to banishment, refutes the accusations against her as slanderous, and expresses her humiliation and anger. She plans to challenge the sanction, saying she is ashamed of the political movement she served for three decades.
A not so consensual sidelining
One might think that the decision against the MP was taken unanimously by the members of the group, but certain LFI figures showed their solidarity, describing the sanction against Garrido as unfair.
She hopes for a vote on her sanction, like what was granted to Quatennens, and awaits the decision of her colleagues, which will strongly depend on the position of Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
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