At the end of the general policy declaration made by Michel Barnier, this Tuesday, October 1, the presidents of the political groups responded to him from the podium of the National Assembly. From support for the opposition, through vigilance, an overview of the intentions displayed towards the Prime Minister and his government.
An expected speech in an unprecedented context. At the end of the general policy statement delivered by the Prime Minister Michel Barnierin this first day of parliamentary sessionthe presidents of the political groups that make up the National Assembly responded to him, displaying their intentions towards the governmentwhile delivering their analysis of the political situation in the country, almost three months after the second round of the legislative elections.
NFP and RN: two opposition strategies
On the stand, it’s the very legitimacy of the appointment of Michel Barnier to Matignon which the speakers of the New Popular Front contested considering that, based on the result of the legislative elections, it is the left which should govern today. “Your appointment is the result of a serious political and institutional mistake” declared the president of the Socialists and Allies group, Boris Vallaudbefore accusing the government of Michel Barnier of embodying “the continuation of macronism in its most right-wing, most reactionary part“. And to confirm the intention of the NFP to file a motion of censure.
“Your appointment is a sign that Emmanuel Macron wishes to submit his deputies to a larger minority than themselves, to continue his policy” launched Mathilde Panot for the Prime Minister, before continuing: “You put yourself in the hands of the National Rally, very happy to serve as your lackey“.
“The RN made a responsible choice: to refuse to censor a priori your government“ has, for its part, argued Marine Le Penwho indicated the three priorities with regard to which his group “would exercise vigilance“, namely “purchasing power, immigration and security“. As a warning, the president of the National Rally group also expressed “red lines“, among which a “tax pressure“which would weigh on the middle classes, or the refusal of a reform of the voting method, in reference to the introduction of a proportional part which she calls for. Marine Le Pen also demanded a “loi immigration restrictive” for the beginning of 2025.
Ex-presidential majority and right: two shades of support
The president of the Ensemble pour la République group, Gabriel Attalalso formulated, if not red lines, points on which he was not ready to make concessions, mentioning in particular taxation. The former Prime Minister also returned to the controversial remarks of Bruno Retailleauwho considered that the rule of law was “not intangible, nor sacred“. “At the top of our values, there is the rule of law“, he underlined, without naming the Minister of the Interior, before adding: “We can have strong words, without hysterizing“.
Showing the desire to defend the results of the policy carried out since 2017 and not to give in on the values defended by his group, Gabriel Attal however assured that: “Anything that will make the country stronger, more prosperous, fairer, more secure, we will support it.“. And to call for “the unit“and to”responsibility“.
“To prevent the sowers of chaos from damaging our country, the Republican Right is committed to getting France out of the impasse“, said Laurent Wauquiezthus explaining the decision of the Republicans to participate in Michel Barnier’s team and wishing a “change policy” Who “suppose to break with the policy pursued for seven years“. Beyond the general attitude towards the government, the leader of the right in the National Assembly showed unfailing support for Bruno Retailleau: “The Minister of the Interior will have our full support“.
