2023-12-18 06:23:31
The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, visits the mobile gendarmerie barracks in Calais, December 15, 2023. PALOMA LAUDET / HORS FORMAT / ITEM POUR “LE MONDE”
Around 6 p.m., Monday, December 11, while the National Assembly has just inflicted a scathing setback on him by rejecting the “immigration” text, Gérald Darmanin’s phone vibrates several times: the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, wishes him see. The Minister of the Interior, who has no intention of going to Matignon, does not even take the trouble to respond. And asks to be received by Emmanuel Macron, just back from a trip to Toulouse. It was the president who appointed him. In ” man of honor “it is in the hands of the president that he must place his destiny.
Also read the story: Article reserved for our subscribers Immigration law: story of a day of debacle for the government
In doing so, Gérald Darmanin hardly takes any risks. He knows that Emmanuel Macron has no interest in adding a government crisis to a parliamentary crisis. And that he does not like to act under constraint, especially when it comes from opposition. “There’s no way you’re resigning. Let the text continue its path”, his says the Head of State during their tête-à-tête, before joining with a light step, in the party hall of the Elysée, the actor Christian Clavier and his guests, to hand over the interpreter of “Jacquouille la Fripouille” the badge of officer of the Legion of Honor.
Gerald Darmanin “resigned” to Emmanuel Macron, “who refused it”, communicates the Elysée immediately. The next day, on the sidelines of the council of ministers, this bon mot circulated within the executive: “Do you know why Darmanin submitted his resignation to Macron?… Because Borne would have accepted it! »
If the joke reflects the evil joy of certain members of the government at seeing the very divisive tenant of Beauvau on one knee, it says a lot about the very deteriorated relations between the head of government and the number three in the government. This Monday evening, Emmanuel Macron nevertheless charges this improbable duo with “find a way” to save the text rejected by the Assembly a few moments earlier. In January 2024, everything will be put back together, he says privately, but for now, the collective interest dictates that the “immigration” bill be passed. In a hurry to turn the page on this psychodrama, Emmanuel Macron wants the matter to be resolved before the Christmas holidays.
Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers “Immigration” bill: Emmanuel Macron wants to avoid getting bogged down to complete the text before Christmas, but without 49.3
“We feel that the ball has been passed”
A little later in the evening, during an urgently convened majority dinner at Matignon, Elisabeth Borne confided, in particularly crude terms, her lack of enthusiasm at the idea of having to save the day to Gérald Darmanin. The latter is no better. Seeing the one he claimed to replace in July take charge is a second humiliation for the Minister of the Interior, after the slap received in the Assembly. “If you want me to leave, and write a text with another minister, do it, there is no problem”, he blurted out during dinner, jaw clenched. Tuesday evening at the Elysée, in front of the executives of the majority, including the Prime Minister, Emmanuel Macron insists: “Gérald must be included in the discussions. »
You have 55% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
#Gérald #Darmanin #minister #weakened #political #crisis #surrounding #immigration #bill