The deputy La France insoumise (LFI) from the North Adrien Quatennens seems determined to find the benches of the Assembly. He announced, Wednesday, December 14, that he would return there “probably as early as January”despite his four-month suspended prison sentence for “violence” committed on his wife and his removal from the group for a period of four months. Unable to sit on the benches of his political group, the deputy plans a return “unregistered”, he replied to the journalist during an hour-long interview with BFMTV.
Mr. Quatennens was tried on Tuesday in Lille as part of an appearance on prior admission of guilt for acts of domestic violence perpetrated on his partner Céline Quatennens. The chosen one was sentenced for “violence without incapacity committed by spouse” between October and December 2021, as well as for “regular and malicious sending of messages” to his wife, by SMS and WhatsApp, between August and September 2022, said the judge.
Suspended until April 13
He was immediately suspended by the LFI group for a period of four months, i.e. until April 13, his return remaining subject to “a course of accountability on violence against women”. A decision which has already caused a stir within the Nupes, several parliamentarians having demanded his resignation from his mandate as deputy of the North.
“I will respect the collective decision that was taken in a democratic framework (…) which is to ensure that I cannot sit on their benches for a period of four months before returning to them”explained by M. Quatennens. “Yes, my intention is to go back there”he said. “The work in the constituency did not stop, my parliamentary office was open almost every day during this period. I have riding activity myself”he said.
“I didn’t kill anyone, I didn’t rape anyone, I don’t have blood on my hands”he defended himself on the merits. “I simply ask for the proportion and I simply wish to be able to resume normal parliamentary activity”.