“Emmanuel Macron, who knew the protests in the street, now sees himself pushed into his own camp”

2023-12-21 12:16:53

A suspended moment. Tuesday, December 19, while the parliamentarians of the joint committee (CMP) seek a compromise on the “immigration” bill, a minister, from the left, receives in his private hotel. Dozens of text messages arrive on his cell phone. One criticizes this “CMP of shame” which is about to rightize the text. “I don’t understand why you want to force through the “immigration” bill with the help of the hard right, another is alarmed. You will lose everything! » A third threat: “If you condone this, you’re not invited home again on Friday!” » The minister sighs. He does not rule out the possibility of departures from the government. He wonders himself. He laughs in front of his carrot risotto: “This may be the last meal…” Then begins to hum: “If I die, I want to be buried!”

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Twilight atmosphere in Macronie. Finally, and it is not our man (who stayed), only one minister (the one of health) slammed the door, ulcerated by this text written under the dictation of the right, which takes up several antiphons from the software of the ‘far right. Aurélien Rousseau left his ministry on Wednesday evening after a violent explanation with the President of the Republic, applauded by his cabinet which made him a guard of honor, when the Renaissance deputies having voted against the text were crumbling under the messages of support. After six years of unchallenged power, Emmanuel Macron, who experienced protests in the streets (“yellow vests”, pension reform, etc.), now sees himself shaken up in his own camp. It’s a turning point.

Since Wednesday, the executive has tried to minimize the extent of the political crisis, which followed the parliamentary crisis. On paper, Macron won. He did not bend, obtained what he wanted: a voted text – without recourse to 49.3 – before Christmas, attracting the support of a majority of French people. “It is not the king who is naked, it is his lackeys”wants to believe one of his loved ones, who does not forgive « the fronds » of certain ministers or deputies.

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But behind this smokescreen, the sequence leaves many losers in the president’s camp. Gérald Darmanin, who did not see the motion to reject coming. Elisabeth Borne, who appears as a soldier without qualms, in defiance of supposed left-wing convictions. Emmanuel Macron, himself, who finds himself with a majority fractured like never before and tensions in his government.

“We don’t give birth halfway”

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